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

[StarDust Bum]

Cousins' historic triple-double lifts Pelicans over Bulls
January 22, 2018

NEW ORLEANS (AP) DeMarcus Cousins had 44 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists, Anthony Davis scored 34 points, and the All-Star pair led a 17-point New Orleans comeback in the final five minutes of regulation before the Pelicans pulled out a 132-128 victory over the Chicago Bulls in double overtime Monday night.

Cousins scored seven points in the second overtime on a 3-pointer, a turnaround jumper and two free throws with 8.2 seconds left. He became the first NBA player since Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain in 1968 to have as many as 40 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a game.

E'Twaun Moore scored 15 points, including a 3 in the second overtime to help the Pelicans win for the fifth time in six games.

Jerian Grant had 22 points and 13 assists, and Robin Lopez also scored 22 for the Bulls, who appeared well on their way to their fifth victory in six games when they opened the fourth quarter with a 23-5 run to take their largest lead at 104-86.

BUCKS 109, SUNS 105

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Khris Middleton scored 35 points and hit two long jumpers in the final minute, Malcolm Brogdon added 32 points and Milwaukee beat Phoenix hours after firing coach Jason Kidd.

Brogdon added a steal with 40 seconds left after the Bucks double-teamed guard Devin Booker in the backcourt. Brogdon lobbed a cross-court pass to Middleton, who hit a jumper from the left corner with 24 seconds left for a 105-100 lead.

T.J. Warren had 23 points for Phoenix, which has lost four of five.

Kidd was fired hours before the game, ending a three-plus season tenure that included two playoff appearances but stretches of inconsistency on both ends of the floor. Other than a 33-win season in 2015-16, the Bucks hovered around .500 under Kidd as a young core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Brogdon blossomed into top-flight players.

ROCKETS 99, HEAT 90

HOUSTON (AP) - James Harden scored 28 points and Houston overcame a big early deficit to beat Miami.

Miami led by double digits before halftime, but the game stayed close throughout most of the second half. It was tied with about three minutes left when Harden hit a 3-pointer just before the shot clock expired. That was the start of a 7-2 run that made it 95-90 with 38 seconds left.

James Johnson missed a 3-pointer on the other end, but Miami's Hassan Whiteside grabbed the rebound. Harden blocked his layup, and Houston added a dunk by Clint Capela with 18 seconds left.

Whiteside led the Heat with 22 points and 13 rebounds. The team was missing Goran Dragic for the second straight game because of a bruised left knee.

GRIZZLIES 105, 76ERS 101

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Marc Gasol scored 19 points, Tyreke Evans added 18 points and eight assists, and the pair led a fourth-quarter rally that lifted Memphis over Philadelphia.

Mario Chalmers added 17 points, including a pair of free throws with 6.2 seconds remaining, to help the Grizzlies overcome a 15-point deficit. Myke Henry, signed to a two-way contract with Memphis earlier this month, had 12 points.

Dario Saric led the Sixers with 22 points and added 10 rebounds, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarott finished with a season-high 20 points. Robert Covington added 18 points and Joel Embiid had 15 points and 14 rebounds.

MAVERICKS 98, WIZARDS 75

DALLAS (AP) - Harrison Barnes had 20 points and 10 rebounds, rookie Dennis Smith Jr. scored 17 and Dallas finished a season sweep of playoff-contending Washington.

The Mavericks slowed a recent slide that had them headed back to the bottom of the Western Conference, ending their second three-game losing streak since the start of January.

The Mavericks held the high-scoring backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal to 28 percent shooting. Beal scored 18 and Wall had 11 - the only double-digit scorers for the Wizards - as the guards combined to go 8 of 29 from the field.

HAWKS 104, JAZZ 90

ATLANTA (AP) - Dennis Schroder scored 20 points, Taurean Prince added 17 and Atlanta kept up its improving play with a victory over Utah.

The Hawks began to pull away late in the third quarter, closing with a 13-3 run for a 74-63 lead that was their largest to that point. Dewayne Dedmon knocked down a 3-pointer, Malcolm Delaney converted a four-point play and Schroder scored off a couple of drives.

Alec Burks came off the bench to lead the Jazz with 17 points. Utah's starters combined for just 40 points, led by Donovan Mitchell with 13.

HORNETS 112, KINGS 107

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Kemba Walker had 26 points, Jeremy Lamb added 18 and Charlotte bounced back from a tough loss to beat Sacramento.

Nic Batum and Marvin Williams each had 14 points and Dwight Howard added 14 points and 16 rebounds for the Hornets, who have won six of their last nine.

Skai Labissiere had 23 points and Buddy Hield added 18 for the Kings, who have lost eight straight games and 11 of their last 12.

NUGGETS 104, TRAIL BLAZERS 101

DENVER (AP) - Jamal Murray scored a career-high 38 points, including a three-point play in the final minute, and Denver beat Portland.

Nikola Jokic had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Will Barton hit four free throws in the final 10 seconds to secure the win and spoil Jusuf Nurkic's return to Denver.

Nurkic had 19 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in his first game back at Pepsi Center. Damian Lillard had 25 points and seven assists for Portland.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 23, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM Sacramento Kings Orlando Magic Amway Center
8:00 PM Brooklyn Nets Oklahoma City Thunder Chesapeake Energy Arena
8:00 PM Cleveland Cavaliers San Antonio Spurs AT&T Center
10:30 PM Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center
10:30 PM New York Knicks Golden State Warriors ORACLE Arena

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday’s 6-pack

— Kentucky’s basketball team is out of the Top 25 for the first time in four years.

— Nick Foles in the second half Sunday: 11-of-11, 159 yards, 2 TD. Not bad for a backup.

— Eldrick Woods is playing golf this week in the PGA tournament at Torrey Pinex; over/under on worst round he shoots this week: 74.5

— TCU 82, West Virginia 73— Big X schedule is tough travel for the Mountaineers.

— Virginia Tech 80, North Carolina 69— Lethargic effort by the Tar Heels.

— SF Giants signed OF Austin Jackson for two years, $6M.

Quote of the Day

“I don’t sell, when you come here: ‘The university and the state will take care of you for the rest of your life.’ You may buy that, and I’ve got some great property and some swampland down in Florida to sell you too. Every one of us in this country is based on, you have to take care of your self, prepare yourself, and then when you make it you make sure you’re helping and along the way you’re bringing other people with you.

That’s what we’re trying to do: just give these guys the best opportunity. We’re not trying to say that this university or state will take care of you for the rest of your life. There’s no socialism here. This stuff is you have to go do it and we’re going to help you do it. Some like that, some don’t like that.”
John Calipari

Tuesday’s quiz

Before DeMarcus Cousins did it Monday night, who was last NBA player with 30 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists in a game?
(Hint: It happened in 2010)

Monday’s quiz

Emmitt Smith and Thurman Thomas share the record for most postseason touchdowns in the NFL, with 21.

Sunday’s quiz

Jack Ramsay was the Portland Trailblazers’ coach when they won their only NBA title.

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

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

13) Whats with NBA teams and drama? Milwaukee Bucks fired coach Jason Kidd, who was 139-152 in 3.5 years, but 22-21 this year. News of Kidd’s firing got out before the team told Kidd, and star Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t happy about it, which is never good for an NBA team, when your star player is ticked off.

Antetokounmpo called the coach and asked him if he wanted him to help save his job, which apparently was before Kidd knew he was losing his job. Oy.

If the season ended as I type this, the Bucks would be the #8 seed in the East.

12) Washington Wizards players recently had a players-only meeting; here are two quotes about that event:

First, John Wall:
“We had our team meeting. A couple guys took it the negative way and it hurt our team. Instead of taking it in a positive way like we did in the past and using it to build our team up, it kind of set us back a little bit.”

Second, Bradley Beal:
“It was tough. I try to keep all our stuff as personal as possible but I think in a way not everybody got a chance to speak whenever they wanted to. They didn’t want to bring up an issue or something they had a problem with on the team. Regardless of what may be going on, as men we’ve got to be able to accept what the next man says, be respectful about it and move on from it. I think it was one of those situations where we didn’t necessarily get everything that we wanted to get accomplished.”

Tuesday’s List of 13: Nobody asked me, but…….
13) Whats with NBA teams and drama? Milwaukee Bucks fired coach Jason Kidd, who was 139-152 in 3.5 years, but 22-21 this year. News of Kidd’s firing got out before the team told Kidd, and star Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t happy about it, which is never good for an NBA team, when your star player is ticked off.

Antetokounmpo called the coach and asked him if he wanted him to help save his job, which apparently was before Kidd knew he was losing his job. Oy.

If the season ended as I type this, the Bucks would be the #8 seed in the East.

12) Washington Wizards players recently had a players-only meeting; here are two quotes about that event:

First, John Wall:
“We had our team meeting. A couple guys took it the negative way and it hurt our team. Instead of taking it in a positive way like we did in the past and using it to build our team up, it kind of set us back a little bit.”

Second, Bradley Beal:
“It was tough. I try to keep all our stuff as personal as possible but I think in a way not everybody got a chance to speak whenever they wanted to. They didn’t want to bring up an issue or something they had a problem with on the team. Regardless of what may be going on, as men we’ve got to be able to accept what the next man says, be respectful about it and move on from it. I think it was one of those situations where we didn’t necessarily get everything that we wanted to get accomplished.”

Coaching an NBA team is serious money, but it can’t be great fun.

11) In the last 16 Super Bowls, underdogs are 11-5 against the spread.

10) This will be 4th Super Bowl in last five years with two #1 seeds. From 1994-2012, #1 seeds met in only one of 19 Super Bowls.

9) In their last five games, New England has been called for nine penalties for 110 yards; their opponents have been called for 29 penalties for 390 yards.

8) Tom Brady has more wins (27) and passing TDs (68) in postseason than Nick Foles has wins (24) and passing TDs (66) in his entire NFL career.

7) Minnesota Vikings last made the Super Bowl after the 1976 season, when I was a senior in high school; since then, they’re 0-6 in NFC championship games.

6) Last years, $138.5M was wagered on the Super Bowl, just in Nevada- thats a record, one that is expected to be broken this year.

5) Knicks/Rangers both played in Staples Center Sunday; it is first time Knicks/Rangers played road games in the same arena on the same day since 1957.

4) Miami Heat’s James Johnson scored five points in 0:04 Sunday night, as Heat erased a 105-100 deficit in the last minute at Charlotte, eventually winning 106-105. Not easy to score five points in 0:04, but layup-steal-3-pointer did the trick.

3) Carolina Panthers hired Carolina DC Steve Wilks as their new head coach; he was only a coordinator for one year, but has been a coach in college/NFL since 1995.

Cleveland Browns hired Todd Haley as their new offensive coordinator; hopefully he got promised that the Browns will draft a quarterback in April.

2) From Christopher Kamka, NBC Sports, Chicago: In 2017, Chris Gimenez was the first major leaguer to catch 5+ games and also pitch in 5+ games in the same season since the Phillies’ Bill Harman in 1941. Gimenez pitched in five games, caught in 59 games last year.

1— New Jersey Giants hired Pat Shurmur as head coach; he’ll keep DC Steve Spagnuolo, since he was Spagnuolo’s OC in St Louis is 2009-10. Rams improved from 1-15 in ’09 to 7-9 in ’10, then Shurmur became the head coach of the Browns in ‘11, which obviously didn’t go well (9-23).

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, January 23


Sacramento @ Orlando

Game 501-502
January 23, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
110.121
Orlando
118.598
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 8 1/2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 6
214
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-6); Under

Cleveland @ San Antonio

Game 503-504
January 23, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
116.212
San Antonio
119.785
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 3 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 1
208 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-1); Under

Brooklyn @ Oklahoma City

Game 505-506
January 23, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Brooklyn
115.623
Oklahoma City
121.092
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 5 1/2
221
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 10
213 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Brooklyn
(+10); Over

New York @ Golden State

Game 507-508
January 23, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
116.315
Golden State
126.783
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 10 1/2
133
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 14 1/2
226 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(+14 1/2); Over

Boston @ LA Lakers

Game 509-510
January 23, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
119.745
LA Lakers
117.691
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 2
215
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 4 1/2
207 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Lakers
(+4 1/2); Over




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, January 23

Magic won four of last six games with Sacramento; under is 3-1 in last four series games. Kings are 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to the Magic Kingdom. Sacramento lost its last eight games; they’re 9-6 vs spread in last 15 games as road underdogs. Four of their last six games went over. Orlando lost eight of its last ten games; they’re 1-6 as home favorites. Seven of their last nine games stayed under total.

Spurs won eight of last ten games with Cleveland; over is 6-3 in last nine series games. Cavaliers are 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to the Alamo. Cleveland lost nine of its last 12 games; they’re 4-2 as road underdogs. Three of their last four games stayed under total. San Antonio lost three of last four games; they’re 5-1 vs spread in last six home games. Spurs’ last six games all stayed under the total.

Nets are 6-4 in last ten games with Oklahoma City; they’re 4-1 vs spread in last five visits here. Under is 3-1 in Brooklyn’s last four visits to OKC. Nets split their last six games; they’re 14-3 vs spread in last 17 games as road underdogs- their last three games stayed under. Thunder won their last four games; they’re 7-13-1 as home favorites. Four of their last five games stayed under the total.

Golden State won its last six games with the Knicks, who are 4-3 vs spread in last seven series games. New York is 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Oakland. Six of last seven series games stayed under. Knicks lost seven of their last ten games; they’re 5-3 vs spread in last eight games as road underdogs. Over is 9-1 in their last ten games. Warriors won eight of their last ten games; they’re 2-4-2 in last eight games as home favorites- their last three games stayed under.

Lakers lost their last four games with Boston; Celtics are 1-4 vs spread in last five series games played here. Last four series games stayed under the total. Boston lost its last three games, by 8-9-3 points; under is 5-2 in their last seven games. Celtics are 8-5-1 as road favorites. Lakers won six of their last eight games; they’re 9-10 as home underdogs. Five of their last seven games stayed under total.




NBA

Tuesday, January 23

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Trend Report
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SACRAMENTO @ ORLANDO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 6 games
Sacramento is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games

BROOKLYN @ OKLAHOMA CITY
Brooklyn is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Brooklyn is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games

CLEVELAND @ SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Cleveland's last 9 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Cleveland's last 15 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games
San Antonio is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games at home

BOSTON @ LA LAKERS
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Lakers is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
LA Lakers is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

NEW YORK @ GOLDEN STATE
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 5 games on the road
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
Golden State is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against New York

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, January 23

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SACRAMENTO (13 - 33) at ORLANDO (14 - 32) - 1/23/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 49-78 ATS (-36.8 Units) against Southeast division opponents since 1996.
ORLANDO is 52-74 ATS (-29.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 21-39 ATS (-21.9 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ORLANDO is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
ORLANDO is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 2-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 2-2 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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CLEVELAND (27 - 18) at SAN ANTONIO (30 - 18) - 1/23/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 12-32 ATS (-23.2 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in January games this season.
CLEVELAND is 18-30 ATS (-15.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in non-conference games this season.
CLEVELAND is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
CLEVELAND is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) after scoring 115 points or more this season.
CLEVELAND is 201-259 ATS (-83.9 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=98 points/game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 1028-899 ATS (+39.1 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 823-700 ATS (+53.0 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in home games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 155-109 ATS (+35.1 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 347-273 ATS (+46.7 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 344-283 ATS (+32.7 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) in home games off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 182-137 ATS (+31.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 2-2 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 3-1 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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BROOKLYN (18 - 29) at OKLAHOMA CITY (26 - 20) - 1/23/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BROOKLYN is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) in all games this season.
BROOKLYN is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
BROOKLYN is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in road games this season.
BROOKLYN is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 18-27 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.

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

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NEW YORK (21 - 26) at GOLDEN STATE (37 - 10) - 1/23/2018, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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BOSTON (34 - 13) at LA LAKERS (17 - 29) - 1/23/2018, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 18-34 ATS (-19.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 27-18 ATS (+7.2 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 42-25 ATS (+14.5 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 3-2 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 4-1 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

Inside the Paint - Tuesday
January 23, 2018

Tuesday’s NBA card has five games on tap and all of them are non-conference matchups, which will be the focus of tonight’s piece. Let’s handicap the games.

(Straight Up and Against the Spread)

Sacramento (13-33 SU, 18-25-3 ATS) at Orlando (14-32 SU, 20-26 ATS)

The first game on the board isn’t the easiest to handicap considering both of these teams will be jockeying for the No. 1 pick in this summer’s NBA Draft.

Orlando opened as a six-point favorite and was pushed up to -7 as of Tuesday morning.

Despite going 2-3 in their last five games, the Magic have covered five straight and they enter this game off a 103-95 win at Boston on Sunday as a 10 ½-point road underdog. Backing Orlando to win two straight is a tough sell since it hasn’t done so since Nov. 10. Seeing the Magic favored is another rarity but the team has gone 5-4 SU and 4-5 ATS as a favorite this season.

Sacramento dropped its eighth straight game last night, a 112-107 decision at Charlotte. The Kings managed to get a late cover (+10 ½) but is just 2-6 ATS during the skid. Not surprisingly, the club has struggled on no rest this season, going 2-7 SU and 3-5-1 ATS.

Orlando is 6-12 SU and 8-9-1 ATS versus the West this season and it just snapped a seven-game non-conference slide last week in a 108-102 home win over Minnesota. Prior to that victory, it lost the seven previous games. Total bettors should note that the ‘under’ is on a 7-0 run in Orlando’s last seven matchups versus teams from the West. Sacramento has gone 4-14 SU and 7-10-2 ATS versus the Eastern Conference this season.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams with the pair splitting both encounters last season. The home team won and covered each contest and the total was split as well.

The total (214 ½) on this game seems a little inflated, especially with Sacramento's offense ranked last in scoring (97.9 PPPG). Knowing Orlando is on a 9-3 ‘under’ run could have you leaning that way tonight.

Brooklyn (18-29 SU, 29-17-1 ATS) at Oklahoma City (26-20 SU, 18-27-1 ATS)

As of Tuesday morning, the Thunder have been listed as a 10-point home favorite over the Nets. Oklahoma City is starting to come into its own, winning four straight and 16 of its last 20 games. The Thunder just dropped a season-high 148 points on Cleveland this past Saturday and are expected to keep the winning streak rolling along tonight. As double-digit home favorites, the Thunder have gone 6-0 SU and 4-2 ATS.

OKC will be looking for revenge in this game as Brooklyn rallied for a 100-95 win on Dec. 7 as a seven-point underdog in a game played at Mexico City as the ‘under’ (215 ½) connected easily. OKC was cruising at halftime (58-49) but got outscored 51-37 by the Nets in the second-half.

The Nets have been one of the best teams to back at the betting counter this season and they enter this game off back-to-back wins. However, they haven’t won three straight all season.

The Nets have gone 7-12 SU and 11-6-2 ATS versus the West but they’ve dropped four of their last five. OKC is 11-7 SU and 10-8 ATS versus the East and that includes a 5-4 record at home.

Cleveland (27-18 SU, 12-32-1 ATS) at San Antonio (30-18 SU, 25-21-2 ATS)

Even though both of these clubs are still considered contenders to win the NBA Finals, I wouldn’t bet on either squad in this matchup. The Spurs are listed as short favorites (-1 ½) over the Cavaliers and neither team has played well in 2018. Since the New Year began, the Spurs (5-6 SU, 6-4-1 ATS) and Cavaliers (3-6 SU, 1-8 ATS) have been very shaky.

Cleveland’s defense is ranked 26th in the league, allowing 109.5 points per game and that includes last Saturday’s embarrassing 148-124 home loss to Oklahoma City. That loss was preceded by a tight win over Orlando (104-103) and another double-digit loss at home to Golden State (118-108).

Including the aforementioned losses to the Warriors and Thunder, the Cavaliers have gone 7-8 SU and 3-12 ATS versus the West. On the road, Cleveland is just 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS in non-conference tilts.

If you bet against the Cavaliers this season blindly, you would be up $1,880 based on one-unit ($100) plays.

San Antonio’s issue this season has been on the road (11-15), which is something Gregg Popovich’s team always did well. At home, the Spurs have dominated this season with a 19-3 SU and 15-6 ATS mark which includes Sunday’s 94-86 loss to Indiana as a six-point favorite. The Spurs defense has played well of late but the offense has been sputtering and that combination has led to a 6-0 ‘under’ run.

The Spurs have gone 14-9 SU and 11-10-2 ATS against the East this season yet they enter this game 1-4 in their last five non-conference games.

San Antonio swept the regular season series against Cleveland last season, which included a 103-74 win at home as a five-point favorite.

The Spurs will be short-handed for this game and ESPN is reporting a rift in San Antonio between the team, players and All-Star Kawhi Leonard. We also heard reports coming out this morning circled around Cleveland's Kevin Love, who is supposedly in the doghouse with his teammates.

TNT will provide national coverage of this game at 8:05 p.m. ET.

New York (21-26 SU, 24-23 ATS) at Golden State (37-10 SU, 21-25-1 ATS)

New York’s “Grammys” road trip continues Tuesday as the club faces a daunting task as a double-digit underdog (+14) to Golden State. The Warriors have won six straight and eight of the last nine in this series and they’ve covered five of those victories. In the last three games played in the Bay Area, Golden State went 2-1 ATS despite being favored by some big numbers (-17, -15, -19 ½). With the line being a tad shorter, perhaps the Knicks can view this season as progress.

The Knicks have gone 11-10 SU and 12-9 ATS versus the Western Conference with most of the trouble (3-6 SU, 4-5 ATS) coming on the road. New York surprised Utah 117-115 last Friday but was run by the Lakers 127-107 two nights later from Los Angeles. The ‘over’ has gone 6-3 in their non-conference road games.

New York remains one of the worst road teams (6-17 SU, 9-14 ATS) in the league. Surprisingly, Golden State has been better on the road (21-4) than at home this season (16-6).

The Warriors are coming off a 116-108 loss at the Rockets this past Saturday as three-point road favorites. Golden State hasn’t dropped back-to-back games this season, going 9-0 SU and 5-4 ATS after a setback.

The Warriors have gone 17-3 SU and 9-11 ATS versus the East and they were laying double digits in 11 of those games. At home, they’ve gone 8-2 SU and 4-5-1 ATS with the straight up losses coming to the Hornets and Pistons.

Boston (34-13 SU, 27-18-2 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (17-29 SU, 23-23 ATS)

The late-night tip on TNT (10:35 p.m. ET) will have Boston (-4 ½) trying to snap a three-game losing streak when it meets the Lakers at the Staples Center. Make a note that head coach Brad Stevens and the C’s haven’t dropped four in a row in nearly two seasons.

Prior to the slide, Boston had won seven straight and was doing so with its second-ranked scoring defense (98 PPG). Sunday’s 103-95 home loss to Orlando was a poor effort from the start and it looked like the Celtics were more concerned with the Patriots playing in the AFC title game.

Fortunately for the Celtics, they should have confidence in this spot. Boston ran past Los Angeles 107-96 earlier this season on Nov. 8 as a 6 ½-point favorite from TD Garden. This was the fourth straight win for the Celtics in this series and the ‘under’ also cashed in every game during this span.

This is a much different Los Angeles team suiting up on Tuesday. The Lakers have quietly won and covered two straight and six of their last eight games after suffering a nine-game losing streak. Four of the recent wins did come against losing clubs but recent victories over the Pacers and Spurs can’t be dismissed.

Boston has gone 12-3 SU and 9-5-1 ATS versus the West this season, plus it’s very solid against teams with losing records (18-5). As road favorites, the Celtics have gone 12-3 SU and 9-6 ATS.

The Lakers are a respectable 9-8 SU and 10-7 ATS against the East and that includes a run of three straight wins. Los Angeles has also won its last five games at home, and three of those victories came as a home underdog.

[StarDust Bum]

LeBron gets 30,000, but Spurs beat slumping Cavs 114-102
January 23, 2018

SAN ANTONIO (AP) LeBron James became the youngest player ever with 30,000 career points, but LaMarcus Aldridge scored 30 points to lift the San Antonio Spurs over the slumping Cleveland Cavaliers 114-102 on Tuesday night.

James had 28 points while becoming the seventh member of the 30,000-point club, yet he couldn't keep the Cavaliers from dropping their 10th in 13 games.

Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray - friend and mentee of James - had 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals in his second start since replacing a healthy Tony Parker. Murray soared for a tip follow and then rose to disrupt James' driving layup, which led to a 3-pointer by Danny Green that gave the Spurs a 105-94 lead with 4:20 remaining.

After missing his first two midrange jumpers and a pair of free throws, James made two driving layups and a 20-footer, and then rose above Danny Green for a 19-foot jumper with one second remaining in the first quarter to reach the mark. The shot put Cleveland up 29-25.

At 33 years and 24 days, James is the youngest player to get 30,000. Bryant was 34 years and 104 days when he got there.

THUNDER 109, NETS 108

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Russell Westbrook made a go-ahead layup with 3.3 seconds left to help Oklahoma City rally from a 15-point second-half deficit and beat Brooklyn.

The lead changed hands six times in the final 2:23. Brooklyn went ahead 108-107 on a driving layup by Spencer Dinwiddie with 7.8 seconds left, but Westbrook answered with his own. After three timeouts, Dinwiddie missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer, with the Thunder's Andre Roberson guarding him closely.

Westbrook had 32 points and Paul George had 28 with nine rebounds. George was left off the NBA All-Star roster earlier in the day.

Joe Harris led the Nets with 19 points while Dinwiddie and DeMarre Carroll had 13 each. The Nets ended a two-game winning streak, matching their longest of the season.

LAKERS 108, CELTICS 107

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kyle Kuzma scored 17 of his 28 points in a phenomenal fourth quarter, and surging Los Angeles sent Boston to its fourth consecutive loss.

Jordan Clarkson scored 22 points in the sixth consecutive home win by the Lakers, who have won three straight and seven of nine overall during their best stretch of the season. Los Angeles nearly gave it away by missing four free throws in the final 20 seconds, but Marcus Smart missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics.

Kyrie Irving scored 33 points for the Celtics, who opened a four-game road trip by extending their longest losing streak in nearly two years.

Kuzma hit five 3-pointers and dominated down the stretch before Irving and Smart, who added 22 points, led the Celtics back.

WARRIORS 123, KNICKS 112

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Stephen Curry scored 17 of his 32 points in the third quarter to go with seven assists and six rebounds, and Golden State used a big second half to beat New York.

Kevin Durant added 14 points, a career-high 14 assists and two blocks before his ejection with 2:50 left for a second technical. Zaza Pachulia added 13 points in Golden State's seventh straight victory in the series.

The Warriors bounced back from Saturday's eight-point defeat at Houston to improve to 10-0 following a loss this season.

Michael Beasley scored 21 points and Courtney Lee contributed 20 as New York lost for the third time in four games and sixth in eight.

KINGS 105, MAGIC 99

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Garrett Temple scored 19 of his career-high 34 points in the fourth quarter to lift Sacramento over Orlando.

Willie Cauley-Stein had 21 points and nine rebounds and Buddy Hield added 13 points for the Kings, who stopped an eight-game losing streak. Temple accounted for all of Sacramento's points during a 17-6 run that put the Kings ahead 103-97 with 23.5 seconds to go.

Evan Fournier led the Magic with 22 points and Elfrid Payton had 21 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Aaron Gordon added 16 and Jonathon Simmons had 14 for Orlando, which struggled mightily to score in the final quarter.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM Chicago Bulls Philadelphia 76ers Wells Fargo Center
7:00 PM New Orleans Pelicans Charlotte Hornets Spectrum Center
7:00 PM Phoenix Suns Indiana Pacers Bankers Life Fieldhouse
7:00 PM Utah Jazz Detroit Pistons Little Caesars Arena
7:30 PM Toronto Raptors Atlanta Hawks Philips Arena
8:00 PM Houston Rockets Dallas Mavericks American Airlines Center
8:00 PM San Antonio Spurs Memphis Grizzlies FedExForum
10:00 PM Minnesota Timberwolves Portland Trail Blazers Moda Center at the Rose Quarter
10:30 PM Boston Celtics Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s 6-pack

Patriots’ Super Bowls in Brady/Belichick era (underdogs 5-2 vs spread):

2001: W20-17 vs Rams +14

2003: W32-29 vs Carolina -7

2004: W24-21 vs Philadelphia -7

2007: L14-17 vs NJ Giants -12

2011: L17-21 vs NJ Giants -3

2014: W28-24 vs Seattle -1

2016: W34-28 vs Atlanta OT -3

Quote of the Day

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to…….live”
Dalai Lama

Wednesday’s quiz

Since the last time they were in the Super Bowl, how many QB’s have started a game for the Eagles?

Tuesday’s quiz

Before DeMarcus Cousins did it Monday night, David Lee was last NBA player with 30 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists in a game.

Monday’s quiz

Emmitt Smith and Thurman Thomas share the record for most postseason touchdowns in the NFL, with 21.


Wednesday’s List of 13: some college knowledge……

Some college basketball notes for a winter Wednesday (thru Monday’s games)

13) Most experienced teams in country:

1) Tex-Arlington (13-8)
3) Idaho (13-6)
4) Tennessee Tech (13-8)
5) Missouri State (15-6)

12) Teams with best defensive eFG%:

1) Michigan State
2) Virginia
4) Cincinnati
5) Purdue
6) San Diego

11) Teams that force the highest %age of turnovers:

1) Stephen F Austin 28.5%
2) West Virginia 26.1%
3) St John’s 24.5%
5) Portland State 24.1%

10) San Diego State is only 11-7 in Brian Dutcher’s first year as coach; they’re 3-4 in Mountain West games, after going 152-56 the previous 12 years under Steve Fisher. How is it different?

— Aztecs are playing faster; pace #116- they were under 300th the last four years
— Teams are shooting 40.1% on arc vs San Diego State; their defensive rating is lowest it has been since 2006. Their offensive numbers are actually slightly better than usual this year.
— Aztecs lost last three games, by 3-4-4 points; their point guard play could be better.

9) Best 3-point shooting teams in country:

1) Purdue 43.7%
2) Wofford 42.6%
3) Wm&Mary 42.5%
4) Idaho 42.5%

8) Teams that get highest %age of their points on 3-pointers:

1) Washington State 47.5%
2) Belmont 45.4%
3) Elon 43.4%
4) Davidson 42.7%

7) Best free throws shooting teams:

1) Wm&Mary 80.8%
2) Central Michigan 80.2%
5) Marquette 79.3%
6) Oregon 79%

6) Teams that get highest %age of their points on free throws:

1) Cal-Fullerton 26.7%
2) Northern Arizona 25.4%
T3) South Carolina/Wyoming 24.6%

5) The Big X is totally loaded; Baylor/Iowa State are the lowest teams and they’re good. Kansas is 6-1 in Big X, with zero wins by more than six points.

4) Only five of the first 37 Big East conference games were decided by 4 or less points.

3) Home teams are only 20-19 SU in Mountain West games so far this season.

2) Top teams vs spread this season:

1) South Alabama 13-3
2) Belmont 14-5
3) Montana 13-4
4) East Tennessee State 12-3-1

1— Worst 3-point shooters in country:

351) Sacred Heart 27.2%
349) East Carolina 27.5%
346) Fordham 28.2%
344) Memphis 29.1%

[StarDust Bum]

NBA knowledge

Wednesday’s NBA

76ers lost nine of last ten games with Chicago (over 8-2). Bulls are 3-1 vs spread in last four visits to Philly. Chicago won four of last six games; they’re 10-1 vs spread in last 11 tries as road underdogs. Over is 7-3 in their last ten games. Sixers won seven of their last nine games; they’re 9-6 vs spread as home favorites. Six of their last eight games went over the total.

Home side won seven of last eight Pelican-Hornet games; New Orleans is 1-3-1 vs spread in last five visits to Charlotte. Nine of last ten series games went over total. Pelicans won four of their last six games; three of their last four wins were in OT. NO is 7-7 vs spread as road underdogs. Five of their last six games went over total. Charlotte won three of its last four games; 11-7 as home favorites.

Jazz won seven of last ten games with Detroit; Utah is 4-1 vs spread in last five visits to the Motor City. Under is 8-2 in last ten series games. Jazz lost seven of last ten games; they’re 6-12 as road underdogs. Three of their last four games went over. Pistons lost their last five games; they’re 1-6 in last seven games as home favorites. Four of their last six home games stayed under the total.

Pacers won four of last five games with Phoenix; road team won last four series games. Suns covered three of last four visits here. Six of last eight series games stayed under. Phoenix lost four of their last five games; they’re 9-4 in last 13 games as road underdogs. Six of their last seven games stayed under total. Indiana won six of its last nine games; they’re 2-5 vs spread in last seven games as home favorites. Under is 8-1 in their last nine games.

Raptors won seven of last ten games with Atlanta; they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five visits here- four of those games stayed under total. Toronto is 3-4 in its last seven games; they’re 6-4 in last ten games as road favorites. Over is 7-3 in their last ten games. Atlanta won three of last four games; they covered last five tries as a home underdog. Hawks’ last four games stayed under the total.

Spurs won eight of their last ten games with Memphis; they’re 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Tennessee. Five of last six series games went over total. San Antonio split their last ten games; they’re 1-5 vs spread on road if they played night before. Six of their last seven games stayed under total. Grizzlies won four of their last five games; they’re 10-14 vs spread at home. Four of their last five games went over total.

Rockets won eight of last ten games with Dallas; they covered three of last four games in this building. Five of last six series games stayed under total. Houston won six of its last seven games; they’re 11-8 as road favorites- their last five games stayed under the total. Mavericks lost six of last nine games; they covered last five games as home underdogs. Five of their last seven games stayed under total.

Minnesota won three of last four games with Portland; home side won last five series games. Wolves are 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Oregon. Three of last four series games went over the total. Timberwolves won seven of last nine games; they’re 6-7 as road underdogs. Four of their last six games went over. Portland won three of last four games; they’re 4-3 in last seven games as home favorites. Over is 7-2 in their last nine games.

Clippers won six of last eight games with Boston; home side won last four. Celtics are 2-3 vs spread in last five series games played here. Under is 2-0-1 in last three series games. Boston lost its last four games, by 8-9-1-3 points; under is 5-3 in their last eight games. Celtics are 13-8 vs spread on road, 3-5 if they played night before. Under is 7-3 in their last 10 games. Clippers lost last two games after a 6-game win streak; over is 8-2 in their last ten games.

[StarDust Bum]

Selling Rocket Futures
January 23, 2018

The Houston Rockets sure are ticking off a lot of boxes right now. They’re ripping teams apart during a pretty impressive run that’s included a win over Golden State and have finally evened themselves with bettors thanks to a 22-22-1 ATS record. James Harden and Chris Paul are also undeniably great to watch together. When they’re rolling, that pair seems unstoppable.

Overall, they’re 7-3 SU and 8-2 ATS since New Year’s, but the question is how much you like them long term. It’s easy to get caught up in their momentum right now. Stacking their value in the NBA futures market, however, shows some irregularities that need discussing.

Odds to win 2018 NBA Championship

Golden State 1/2
Cleveland 6/1
Houston 8/1
Boston 10/1
Oklahoma City 20/1
San Antonio 20/1
Minnesota 20/1
Toronto 25/1

What I hate about the NBA the most is that the regular season doesn’t seem to matter. Steph Curry and Kevin Durant could probably go to Mars for six months, come back with Golden State as the 8th seed and still pummel everyone in a set of seven-game series while defending their championship. The complexities of surviving a playoff series against a routine opponent is just so different than what happens over 82 games in the regular season.

Nobody is questioning what the Houston Rockets can do offensively. They’re the second best offense in the league by almost every metric. Defensively, they could use some work but ranking 12th in defensive rating (i.e. per 100 possessions) is a miracle under Mike D’Antoni. They’re great on both ends. We know this as fact.

But the playoffs are a different animal and the main pieces of the Houston Rockets know that first hand. First off, James Harden has barely been a factor for the team in the playoffs during meaningful stretches. Chris Paul has also been a big, fat zero in the post season as well. It’s a running joke that Houston is going to collapse in the playoffs eventually, and it’s not like Paul’s arrival did anything to dismiss that.

The biggest issue I have with Chris Paul is that he acts entitled and has never really earned it. He’s max contract worthy, a phenomenal player and well respected amongst his peers…but he’s never been in the MVP discussion and his teams never succeed in the playoffs. He gets after the refs way too much for a guy who is also the President of the Player’s Association. He just comes off as a jerk.

A recent showdown with the L.A. Clippers showed who Houston really is. They’re fake tough. You can’t let a guy like Austin Rivers or Blake Griffin get under your skin like that. The Rockets became more preoccupied with being the “biggest guy in the yard” instead of the team that wins the game. Doesn’t that remind you of the Clippers when Chris Paul was their leader?

Numbers and stats inform discussions on players and teams in a huge way, but there are intangibles that define the ways we approach teams. There is so much optimism about the up-and-coming teams. Boston has so much potential. Toronto’s depth is unbelievable, and their evolution this year has been great. Oklahoma City is valiantly trying to figure out how things are supposed to work and Minnesota is maturing right before our very eyes.

I hate saying it because I love watching Harden play basketball, but what’s the next step for Houston? What more can they do other than give Harden the ball or watch CP3 crumble in crunch time? Who steps up to fill that void? If we know anything about D’Antoni, it’s that he’s going to defer to his best players at all times. Ariza, Gordon, Capella and the rest are all just innocent bystanders. Harden and Paul want to be the heroes and they always get their way. They feel like a team that’s at the peak of the NBA right now, but they also reek of a team that’s at their own actual peak.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t lead anywhere positive for the Rockets in the long run. They just aren’t a value play at +800 to win the title. Like an Eastern Conference team I’ll highlight later on in the week, they’re a fantastic and fun regular season bet. But long term? I mean there are just better value bets to unseat the Warriors.

This is just a warning to everyone out there. If there’s anything we know about James Harden, it’s that he fades the deeper he gets in to the playoffs. I don’t know why CP3 has this reputation as being “clutch”. Despite beating the Warriors recently, he’s been dominated by Steph Curry when it matters.

Beyond all of this I just don’t see how the Houston Rockets get better. They’ve already hit their ceiling, which is the second best offence and a slightly above average defence. That’s not worth an 8-to-1 flier for me. I’d rather take a 20-to-1 longshot at that point, like Toronto or Minnesota.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA Capsules
January 24, 2018

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Ben Simmons had 19 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists for his fifth triple-double of the season to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 115-101 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.

Dario Saric added 21 points and 10 rebounds and Joel Embiid had 22 points for the 76ers, who have won seven of 10.

Bobby Portis scored 22 points and Zach LaVine had 21 for the Bulls.

Philadelphia played without guards JJ Redick (left leg), T.J. McConnell (personal) and Jerryd Bayless (left wrist), but Simmons picked up the slack.

The rookie was just two assists away from a triple-double in the first half when he helped the 76ers to a 55-41 halftime lead with 11 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. His slam dunk with 7:40 left in the third quarter was part of a dominating period for Philadelphia.

ROCKETS 104, MAVERICKS 97

DALLAS (AP) - James Harden scored 25 points after getting named to his sixth straight Western Conference All-Star team and the Houston Rockets beat the Dallas Mavericks.

Trevor Ariza had 23 points as the Rockets beat their Texas rivals for the sixth straight time, a streak that started with a four-game sweep last season. Houston won its fourth straight game and seventh in the past nine.

Eric Gordon scored 17 points on 4-of-7 shooting from 3-point range. Southwest Division-leading Houston was up and down from beyond the arc, going 10 of 14 in the first quarter and 2 of 15 in the second. The Rockets finished two shy of their season high in 3s, going 21 of 51.

Wesley Matthews matched his season high with 29 points for the Mavericks, who lost for the seventh time in 10 games since a season-best four-game winning streak that helped lift them out of last place in the West.

CELTICS 113, CLIPPERS 102

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kyrie Irving scored 20 points, Jayson Tatum had 18 and the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers to snap a season-high four-game losing streak.

The Celtics connected on 14 of 40 3-pointers and outrebounded the Clippers 47-40. Irving also had eight rebounds and seven assists.

Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier III each added 15 points for Boston.

Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 23 points and Lou Williams had 20 in Los Angeles' third consecutive loss. Griffin, however, was 1 for 7 on 3-pointers and Williams 6 of 18 from the field.

The Clippers had won six straight before starting their current losing streak.

TRAIL BLAZERS 123, TIMBERWOLVES 114

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Damian Lillard had 31 points a day after getting his third All-Star nod and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves.

CJ McCollum added 28 points in Portland's seventh straight win at home, longest streak of the season. Lillard made six 3-pointers and the Blazers had 17 3s in the game, one shy of their season high.

Andrew Wiggins had 24 points for the Timberwolves, who had won seven of their last nine games but trailed by 19 points during the fourth quarter.

Minnesota didn't have Jimmy Butler, who missed a third straight game with a sore right knee. Jamal Crawford returned after missing two games with a strained big toe on his left foot.

SPURS 108, GRIZZLIES 85

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Pau Gasol finished an assist short of a triple-double, Patty Mills scored 15 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Memphis Grizzlies.

Gasol had 14 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Bryn Forbes and Danny Green also finished with 14 points each. Davis Bertans and Dejounte Murray each had 11 points.

Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Deyonta Davis added 12 points as the Grizzlies were hampered by 43 percent shooting, including 2 of 18 from outside the arc, and 17 turnovers.

Between illness and rest, each team was down at least four players, creating some makeshift lineups. Spurs leading-scorer LaMarcus Aldridge took the night off for rest.

PELICANS 101, HORNETS 96

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis each scored 19 points, DeMarcus Cousins had 16 points and 13 rebounds and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Charlotte Hornets for their sixth win in the last seven games.

Cousins had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Pelicans.

Dwight Howard had 22 points and 16 rebounds in his 1,000th career game to lead the Hornets, who fell to 2-2 on the five-game homestand.

Holiday made a pair of driving layups late in the fourth quarter to help spark the Pelicans.

With 2:14 left, Holiday drove left through the lane and a made a tough contested shot over Nic Batum. After a turnover by the Hornets, Holiday took Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to the hole and scored again.

Batum answered with a 3 from the wing to cut the lead to one with one minute remaining - but that was as close as the Hornets would get.

PACERS 116, SUNS 101

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Thaddeus Young scored 22 points, Victor Oladipo had 21 points and nine assists and the Indiana Pacers pulled away from the Phoenix Suns.

The Pacers have won five of six, blowing out the Suns for the second time in 10 days.

Josh Jackson had 20 points, while Greg Monroe had 16 points and a season-high 17 rebounds to lead Phoenix, which never led and didn't get closer than 10 over the final three quarters. The Suns have lost two straight and five of six.

Indiana sealed it by closing the first half with a 13-4 flurry to make it 63-44. It opened the second half on a 16-2 run to make it 79-46 with 9:20 left.

Devin Booker and Troy Daniels each scored 19 points.

JAZZ 98, PISTONS 95, OT

DETROIT (AP) - Joe Ingles made a tying layup in the final seconds of regulation, then added two straight 3-pointers in overtime to lift the Utah Jazz over the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons lost their sixth straight by blowing a nine-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Detroit had a chance to tie at the end of overtime, but Tobias Harris missed from the left corner, and the rebound went out of bounds off the Pistons.

Andre Drummond had 30 points and 24 rebounds for Detroit, and he fueled a 10-0 run that put the Pistons ahead 88-79, but Utah closed strong in the fourth quarter.

Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell each had 15 points for Utah.

RAPTORS 108, HAWKS 93

ATLANTA (AP) - Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and the rested Toronto Raptors used strong 3-point shooting to beat the Atlanta Hawks.

Playing in its first game since Saturday's loss at Minnesota, Toronto made 14 3-pointers, including eight in the first half. The Raptors improved to 25-6 when making at least 10 3s this season.

Fred VanVleet added 19 points off the bench and All-Star starter DeMar DeRozan had 14 as Toronto moved to 3-0 against Atlanta this season. The Raptors won the first two games of the season series by an average of 23.5 points and were even more dominant in the third of four matchups between the teams.

Dennis Schroder led Atlanta with 20 points, and John Collins had 13 points and career-high 16 rebounds.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 25, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:30 PM Sacramento Kings Miami Heat AmericanAirlines Arena
8:00 PM Washington Wizards Oklahoma City Thunder Chesapeake Energy Arena
9:00 PM New York Knicks Denver Nuggets Pepsi Center
10:30 PM Minnesota Timberwolves Golden State Warriors ORACLE Arena


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

NBA looks to capitalize on sports betting
January 24, 2018

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) The NBA and other professional athletic leagues deserve a cut of the proceeds if legalized sports betting expands across the country, a league executive told New York state lawmakers on Wednesday.

Leagues would receive 1 percent of the total wagered on their sporting events under the proposal detailed by NBA Senior Vice President Dan Spillane. He said leagues should also have the right to restrict betting on their events.

''Without our games and fans, there could be no sports betting,'' Spillane said in his testimony at a legislative panel studying the prospect of legalized sports gambling in New York.

Lawmakers in several states are examining the issue following New Jersey's legal challenge to the 1992 federal law banning sports betting in all but four states: Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon. The case is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. A recent report from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, which tracks gambling legislation nationwide, predicts that as many as 18 states will introduce bills to regulate sports betting this year.

Giving them a piece of the sports betting pie could create lucrative new revenue streams for pro sports leagues - but would potentially diminish the revenue set aside for public education or government programs.

The NBA once opposed expanded sports betting but now supports robust regulation instead, Spillane said. He said the league would prefer a federal law, but that the NBA cannot ''sit on the sidelines'' while New Jersey's court challenge proceeds and other states consider their response.

The league also wants clear rules to protect consumers, and monitoring of unusual betting activity to ensure players or other league insiders aren't placing bets on their own sport, Spillane said.

Some of the concerns expressed by lawmakers include how sports betting would not take away from the state's other legal gambling enterprises, such as casinos and Saratoga Race Course. State Sen. James Tedisco - who was a star basketball player in the Albany area during the same era as current Miami Heat President Pat Riley, a native of Schenectady - asked Spillane how the NBA would try to avoid having prop bets that hinge on player performance manipulated.

Spillane said issues like those are among many reasons why the league is proceeding cautiously.

''We want to make sure that legal operators can compete with the illegal operators,'' Spillane said.

Lawmakers in New York have no plans to vote on any new regulations that would take effect if the federal ban is struck down. But they say they want to study the issue now so the state is ready to act quickly.

The American Gaming Association, a national trade group that represents casinos and other businesses involved in gambling, said it was pleased the NBA is supporting ''vigorously regulated sports wagering.'' But it dismissed the league's proposal to share in the profits.

''We can all agree that the 25-year ban on sports wagering has been a failure in every regard,'' AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman said. ''Now, let's get real about eliminating the illegal market, protecting consumers and determining the role of government - a role that most certainly does not include transferring money from bettors to multi-billion dollar sports leagues.''

NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the 1 percent figure is in line with what happens in other countries that have legal and regulated betting.

''Sports leagues provide the foundation for sports betting while bearing the risks it imposes, even when regulated,'' Bass said. ''If sports betting is legalized federally or state by state, we will need to invest more in compliance and enforcement, and believe it is reasonable for operators to pay each league 1 percent of the total amount bet on its games to help compensate for the risk and expense created and the commercial value our product provides them.''

[StarDust Bum]

Futures Best Bet - Spurs
January 24, 2018

Bet the San Antonio Spurs Everywhere

On Tuesday night, LeBron James closed the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs by stepping to his left for a spot-up jumper. The moment was special. Against the monolith of the Spurs, LeBron scored his 30,000th point becoming the youngest player to do so. He put his team up 29-25 to close the first stanza…and then went on to lose the game by twelve points.

This isn’t about LeBron. Many others will write about the spectacular milestone achievement that he accomplished last night. It’s huge. He’s incredible, and you should ****** some pieces about how amazing it actually is. But this particular piece is not about him – it’s about the San Antonio Spurs.

Gregg Popovich does such a masterful job of roster building and coaching that we almost take it for granted. How does he keep doing this considering that the Spurs are never in the draft lottery and hardly ever overspend in free agency?

Drafting studs like Dejounte Murray late in the first round certainly help. Consider for a moment that Murray was selected 29th overall in an absolutely stacked 2016 NBA Draft. There are at least nine effective NBA talents from the top twelve selected in that draft. After that, there are just a handful of names you’ll recognize. Denzel Valentine was taken 14th, Pascal Siakam was selected 27th and the new starting point guard of the Spurs was drafted twenty-freaking-ninth.

Murray stole LeBron’s show on Tuesday night with a 19-10-3 line that showed just how promising the second year player is going to be. He’s not truly better than Tony Parker yet, but the Spurs are smart to give him as much first-team run as they can.

It’s becoming a long standing tradition that you just trust what the Spurs do in the draft. Murray is part of a long line of non-lottery picks that are helping the team as we speak. That list also includes Kawhi Leonard, who was selected 15th overall in 2011 by Indiana and swapped out for George Hill.

Kawhi has gone from an MVP candidate to a mystery in the span of a year. His quad tendon injury seems to be much more severe, or much more complicated, than everyone thought. Parker suffered what seemed like a similar injury in the playoffs last year, and returned in late November of this year. The fact that Kawhi isn’t back remains puzzling…but that’s also why the Spurs are a huge value play right now.

People argue incessantly about whether or not Kawhi is an MVP-caliber player, which is bonkers to me. He earned this stature during a magnificent championship run where he helped stifle Kevin Durant and LeBron James (who still put up insane numbers). Regardless of the holes you think you can poke in Kawhi’s game, he’s an exceptional talent.

The question is whether or not Kawhi is coming back. As we saw in the playoffs last year, if the Spurs don’t have Leonard then they don’t have a chance of beating the Golden State Warriors or the Houston Rockets this spring. We all remember the Spurs laying waste to the Warriors in the first half of Game 1 during the Western Conference Finals. And we all remember what happened after he had to miss the rest of that game, and that series.

A lot of the blame for that playoff defeat fell on the shoulders of LaMarcus Aldridge, which was fair at the time. The guy ghosted in that series. But this season, he’s been a revelation and finally delivered on the promise of his potential when he arrived in the summer of 2015. And of course the whole reason for this turnaround was Gregg Popovich “having a talk” with Aldridge over the summer. Unbelievable.

Aldridge has rightfully earned an All-Star reserve spot, but his re-ascension to the top of the league is not a needle-moving type of rise. Combined with the ongoing absence of Kawhi Leonard, the bookmakers have leveled the Spurs in the NBA betting playing field. Last night they were just +2.5 home dogs against Cleveland. They’re opening as a pick ‘em against Memphis this week as well. Memphis!

Next Games for San Antonio: at Memphis (1/24), vs Philadelphia (1/26), vs. Sacramento (1/28), vs. Denver (1/30), vs. Houston (2/1)

The Spurs have presented all season long as a work in progress, and now that we’re at the halfway point we can safely surmise what they are. At 16-6-1 ATS when hosting, San Antonio is one of the safest home bets in the entire league. Where they fall off is on the road, but that is probably going to change given the emerging chemistry of this deep roster. In short, they’re an absolutely terrific regular season bet.

Where they stand long term is based on Kawhi’s injury, which flat out doesn’t look great. There was even a report that Kawhi wanted to be – gasp! – traded from the team. Obviously, Kawhi and the Spurs have since denied this drama that was simply Jalen Rose spouting his own opinion on television. Listen, if Popovich can get a sullen guy like Aldridge to buy-in, he can convince Kawhi to take the proper path to recovery and stay on track. He’s. Not. Getting. Traded.

Right now, the Spurs are +2000 to win the NBA Championship. Are they better than the Golden State Warriors? They’re not that far behind if Kawhi can return and get in to shape. Experience matters in the playoffs, and the Spurs still have a lot of it. The biggest kicker is that they have Aldridge playing as part of the team instead of shadowing in the background somewhere. It’s a big shift.

The point isn’t whether or not you’re going to bet on the Spurs when Kawhi comes back eventually. Instead the point is that the Spurs are being graded as if Kawhi is never coming back this season. If Leonard is able to overcome this injury – which I believe he will – then the Spurs will go from a +2000 outsider to a +1000 consideration in the NBA Championship futures. Or something like that.

What’s crazy is that Popovich has built a winner without his best player, and then turned his second-best player (Aldridge) in to an absolute team anchor on both ends of the floor. Parker and Ginobli have found new roles on the team and thrived in them, giving the Spurs a deadly bench that’s pivotal in the playoffs. If Leonard returns, it’s more than feasible that the Spurs offence jumps from 16th in offensive rating to within top-eight in a matter of weeks.

For the record, their defence is currently ranked 2nd in points per 100 possession. Without Kawhi Leonard. Repeat – without Kawhi Leonard. In kitchen sink stats, they’re ranked 1st overall with just 97.6 points allowed, and the 4th best field goal percentage defence. If Leonard comes back, not only does that defensive ranking solidify, the offensive metrics will spike. You know this and you have to remain optimistic that he will return. That’s why the Spurs are a hot item in the NBA futures.

Turns out the most valuable asset San Antonio had all along was sitting right on the bench. His name is Gregg Popovich and goddamnit he’s brilliant enough to warrant a heavy lean through the rest of the month and a solid flier at +2000 to win the title. As he does every single season, Popovich has earned your trust.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday’s 6-pack

11 quarterbacks who started games for the Eagles since their last Super Bowl:

63— Donovan McNabb

40— Michael Vick

29— Carson Wentz

27— Nick Foles

14— Sam Bradford

10— Mark Sanchez

7— Mike McMahon, Kevin Kolb

6— Jeff Garcia

3— Vince Young

2— AJ Feeley

Quote of the Day

“It’s not about being drafted high. It’s being drafted high to the right team. If I’m a better fit somewhere else, that’s where I belong.”
Wyoming QB Josh Allen, a top NFL draft prospect

Thursday’s quiz

What is the capital of Wyoming?

Wednesday’s quiz

Since the last time they were in the Super Bowl, 11 QB’s have started a game for the Eagles?

Tuesday’s quiz

Before DeMarcus Cousins did it Monday night, David Lee was last NBA player with 30 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists in a game.

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Thursday’s List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud…….

13) ESPN officially named Matt Vasgersian and Alex Rodriguez to join their Sunday Night Baseball crew; unusual that they went outside ESPN for their play-by-play guy, but they did. My initial reaction: think A-Rod will do a fine job. Vasgersian is very good, though Jon Sciambi is an ESPN guy who is just as good.

12) Golden State has played 48 games this year; they’re 38-10. Kevin Durant sat eight of those games out with injuries; he’s been thrown out of four other games, most in the NBA.

So he was thrown out of 10% of his team’s games, finished only 75% of their games. $25 million doesn’t buy as much as it used to.

Just seems like there are an awful lot of unhappy people in the NBA, and yet everybody makes a boatload of money. Its not a good look for the league.

11) Dick LeBeau has been in the NFL for 59 consecutive years, but now that Mike Vrabel is the new head coach in Tennessee, LeBeau is out of a job and he’s 80- kind of doubtful he’s going to get another job. End of an era, for sure.

Funny thing is, Titans hired Vrabel as their new head coach- he was Houston’s DC this past season and Tennessee had a better defense than Houston, but is LeBeau is the guy out of a job. Go figure.

10) Last three years, the NFC champ was a team that was at .500 or under the year before.

9) Think about how great a year Jacksonville Jaguars had; they were up 10 in 4th quarter in AFC title game— Jags were 22-74 the last six years before this one. Quite a leap they made.

8) Disappointing that Lou Williams didn’t make the NBA All-Star Game; he deserves it.

7) Irrelevant Stat of the Day: 12 of the last 13 Super Bowl winners wore white jerseys; Patriots chose to wear white next week- Brady is 3-0 in Super Bowls with white jerseys.

6) Oklahoma’s Trae Young has an irrational fear of birds, otherwise known as Ornithophobia.

5) With the Senior Bowl this week and NFL Network devoting most of the next three months to the 2018 NFL Draft, keep in mind that Antonio Brown was the 195th player taken in the 2010 Draft. Tom Brady was also a 6th round pick. Kurt Warner wasn’t drafted.

In other words, despite all the man-hours spent on this important part of the league, it is still an inexact science and it always will be, which is a big part of why it is so fascinating.

4) Alabama’s football program made a $45.9M profit last year; I feel sorry for the poor bastard who replaces Nick Saban when he leaves Tuscaloosa.

3) Villanova loses one of its starters, Phil Booth with a broken hand. Booth is shooting 43% on the arc this season. Wildcats’ bench is #289 in minutes played; this is a big blow.

2) In the first minute the Super Bowl odds were up on the board, Golden Nugget took a $10K money line bet on the Eagles. Spread is 5 right now, though there are 4.5 and 5.5’s out there.

1— Richmond 77, Duquesne 73 OT— Third Dukes home game in a row that went to overtime.