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

[StarDust Bum]

EASTERN CONFERENCE W L PCT GB HOME ROAD CONF DIV STREAK L10

1 z-Toronto 59 22 0.728 - 34-7 25-15 40-11 12-4 W4 6-4

2 x-Boston 54 27 0.667 5 26-14 28-13 32-19 11-4 L2 6-4

3 x-Philadelphia 51 30 0.630 8 29-11 22-19 33-18 9-7 W15 10-0

4 y-Cleveland 50 31 0.617 9 29-11 21-20 35-16 11-5 W1 8-2

5 x-Indiana 48 34 0.585 11½ 27-14 21-20 32-20 10-6 L1 7-3

6 x-Milwaukee 44 37 0.543 15 25-16 19-21 27-24 6-10 W2 7-3

7 x-Miami 43 38 0.531 16 25-15 18-23 30-21 11-5 L2 5-5

8 x-Washington 43 38 0.531 16 23-18 20-20 28-23 8-7 W1 3-7


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WESTERN CONFERENCE W L PCT GB HOME ROAD CONF DIV STREAK L10

1 z-Houston 65 16 0.802 - 34-7 31-9 41-10 12-4 W1 8-2

2 y-Golden St. 58 24 0.707 7½ 29-12 29-12 34-18 13-3 L1 4-6

3 x-Utah 48 33 0.593 17 28-13 20-20 34-17 7-8 W6 8-2

4 x-Portland 48 33 0.593 17 27-13 21-20 30-21 8-7 L4 4-6

5 x-New Orleans 47 34 0.580 18 23-17 24-17 26-25 8-7 W4 6-4

6 x-San Antonio 47 34 0.580 18 33-8 14-26 29-22 9-6 W2 6-4

7 x-Oklahoma City 47 34 0.580 18 26-14 21-20 27-24 5-11 W2 5-5

8 Minnesota 46 35 0.568 19 29-11 17-24 33-18 9-6 W2 6-4

Denver 46 35 0.568 19 31-10 15-25 28-23 9-6 W6 8-2

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nuggets (46-35) at Timberwolves (46-35)
Date: April 11, 2018 8:00 PM EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- Eighty-one games boil down to the finale for the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Win and in.

Months of play have led to Wednesday's final regular-season game between the two teams in Minnesota. Wednesday's winner will go to the playoffs. The loser will start its offseason. There are different seeding possibilities for the winner in the packed Western Conference standings but a win is the only thing that matters for now.

"I just want to clinch it," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said after Monday's victory against Memphis. "Tonight, Wednesday, whenever it is. Just get it done. We talked about finishing. That's been our thing. Just finish. And whatever way we have to get there, let's get there."

Thibodeau was talking to reporters before Denver had finished its game on Monday night to set up Wednesday's showdown. The Nuggets came from behind to beat Portland 88-82.

"Our guys stepped up and understood the urgency of the situation," Denver coach Mike Malone told the team's website.

Two weeks ago, the season coming down to the final game was unlikely. Minnesota was playing without All-Star Jimmy Butler and fading down the stretch. When the Wolves lost 100-96 at Denver on April 5, it was their final game without Butler and ended a 6-9 stretch.

Minnesota has won the past two games with Butler back in the lineup after knee surgery.

Monday's win against Portland was the Nuggets' sixth in a row.

"We've got to go to Minnesota," Denver swingman Will Barton told the team's website, "and get the job done."

It will be a different matchup than even six days earlier. Butler didn't play in that game. Still on a minutes restriction, Butler played 22:58 in Monday's win and had 15 points, three steals and three assists.

However, forward Taj Gibson left Monday's game early with a sore neck and is questionable for Wednesday.

"We'll see," Thibodeau told the Minneapolis Star Tribune about Gibson's availability. "Based on what he did today, we'll see how he feel tomorrow. If he's not (in), we have more than enough. We just need guys to step and get it done."

Gibson, like Butler, has been a backbone-type player in his first season with the 'Wolves.

"I hope so," guard Jamal Crawford told the Star Tribune about Gibson playing. "To be honest, Taj is the heart and soul of our team. Everybody talks about everybody else for good reason, but he's the guy who's the rock of our team. Knowing Taj, I would put my money that he plays, I hope."

The Nuggets got back guard Gary Harris on Monday after he missed 11 games with a knee injury. He had 12 points and two steals in 18 minutes off the bench.

"He didn't play like a player that missed 25 days," Malone told the team's website.

While Minnesota is sitting on a 13-season playoff drought, Gibson knows the intensity that will come Wednesday after having experienced a win-and-in regular-season finale in 2010 with the Bulls. Teammate Derrick Rose also was on that Chicago team.

"We've been through this before," Gibson told the Star Tribune. "It all comes down to knowing your opponent and wanting it even more. Understanding the last game with Denver didn't sit right with us."

Butler has pushed his team all season. He has one more in the regular season.

"A win can control our own destiny," he told the Star Tribune. "We've got a game on Wednesday anyway. No matter what, we're going in there to win."


NBA HEAD TO HEAD

Apr 5, 2018 Score ATS Results
MIN 96 Cover: 0.5
DEN « 100 Under: 196
Tools: Recaps

Dec 27, 2017 Score ATS Results
DEN 125 Cover: 2
MIN « 128 Over: 253
Tools: Recaps

Dec 20, 2017 Score ATS Results
MIN « 112 Cover: 8
DEN 104 Over: 216
Tools: Recaps

Feb 15, 2017 Score ATS Results
MIN « 112 Cover: 19.5
DEN 99 Under: 211
Tools: Recaps

Jan 22, 2017 Score ATS Results
DEN 108 Cover: 0.5
MIN « 111 Under: 219
Tools: Recaps

Dec 28, 2016 Score ATS Results
MIN 103 Cover: 2
DEN « 105 Under: 208
Tools: Recaps

Nov 3, 2016 Score ATS Results
DEN « 102 Cover: 6.5
MIN 99 Under: 201
Tools: Recaps

Oct 12, 2016 Score ATS Results
DEN 88 Under: 193
MIN « 105 Cover: 11.5

[StarDust Bum]

It's the last day of the NBA season, with much to decide
April 11, 2018

MIAMI (AP) The end has arrived.

Actually, for Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas and Charlotte, the end came in their season finales Tuesday. There are nine teams who know Wednesday is the last day of their season. Another 15 teams have already clinched playoff berths.

Then there's Minnesota and Denver.

Game 82 for both teams will have a Game 7 feel, which is a fitting way to transition from the regular season to the postseason. Nuggets at Timberwolves, winner to the playoffs, loser to the offseason. It's the first time since 1997 - and only the third time since the NBA went to this postseason format in 1983 - that two teams will play on the season's final day in such a situation.

''It's bigger than all of us,'' Minnesota star Karl-Anthony Towns said.

Minnesota is trying to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2004 - the longest current drought in the NBA. Denver - winner of six straight to give itself this chance - is trying to get to the postseason for the first time since 2013.

So there's only one spot left in the 16-team tournament that will decide whose fingerprints get to put the smudge of a championship celebration on the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June.

Much like the race between Minnesota and Denver, the entire tournament bracket itself is going down to the wire. There will be eight first-round matchups, and every single one of those pairings will be decided on Wednesday. So, too, will 11 of the 16 seeds. Portland and Utah will play for the No. 3 seed in the West, in one of the few cut-and-dry matchups.

The only order of business that was cleared up Tuesday was the No. 2 overall seed, with Toronto now assured of finishing with the NBA's second-best record.

Here's 10 other things to note going into the last day of the regular season:

A FIRST FOR LEBRON

It's really, really, really hard to find something that LeBron James hasn't done in his career. But if he appears for Cleveland against New York on Wednesday night, it will mark the first time in James' 15 seasons that he plays in all 82 regular-season games. He will lead the NBA in minutes played, field goals made and total points this season - at 33 years old.

PHILLY RECORD

Philadelphia would be the No. 3 seed in the East if it beats Milwaukee, and a franchise that knew nothing but losing (OK, ''process'' losing) in recent years will set a record - for winning. If the 76ers prevail, it would be their 16th consecutive victory and that would top the record for longest winning streak to end any NBA season.

SCORING TITLE

Houston's James Harden has the scoring crown wrapped up. He'll be the first player to win back-to-back scoring titles since his former Oklahoma City teammate Kevin Durant won three straight from 2009-10 through 2011-12.

MORE POINTS

Once again, the NBA will see more points than ever (in terms of total, not average per game). There were 259,753 points in the regular season a year ago; that will be surpassed Wednesday night, and the league is on pace to reach somewhere around 261,000 by the time the final whistle blows.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE RUSS

Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook needs 16 rebounds against Memphis to average exactly 10.0 per game this season. If he gets there, he'll average a triple-double for the second consecutive year. Westbrook has six games this season with at least 16 rebounds, including a season-high, 18-board effort at Miami on Monday night. Westbrook will also lead the NBA in assists per game.

STRUGGLING WARRIORS

Golden State lost 10 of its final 17 games this season. The Warriors' regular season ended Tuesday with a blowout loss at Utah. Klay Thompson isn't worried, and he knows the defending champions - who have dealt with many injuries, most recently Stephen Curry out with a knee issue - have plenty of doubters. ''We're ready to prove people wrong,'' Thompson said.

TOP SHOOTER

The field-goal percentage race between Houston's Clint Capela and the Los Angeles Clippers' DeAndre Jordan might look closer than it really is. Capela is shooting 65.3 percent, Jordan 64.3 percent - but if Jordan is going to catch Capela, he'll have to shoot 15 for 15 on Wednesday (assuming Capela doesn't take any shots). Jordan was trying to be the first player to lead the league in shooting for six straight seasons, but it seems like he'll merely have to settle for tying Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O'Neal with five straight crowns.

TOP REBOUNDER

Another category where Jordan will finish second. Detroit's Andre Drummond will lead the league's rebounding race for the second time in three years.

WILD NORTHWEST

The Northwest Division this season will go down as the most competitive in the current six-division format - and it's not even close. The team that finishes last in the Northwest this season will be only three games behind the team that wins the division crown. There's never been a last-place team within less than 11 games of the winner in this current format, which has been in play for 14 seasons.

ROOKIE WATCH

There have been 116 rookies in the NBA this season, up 28 from last season, and the latest addition is noteworthy. Andre Ingram is a 32-year-old who debuted Tuesday for the Los Angeles Lakers against Houston. He's the oldest rookie this season and he more than paid his dues, having logged 384 games in what's now called the G League - where he's the career leader in 3-pointers (713). This year's rookie class is the largest since 1949-50, when 120 players made their debuts.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, April 11

This is the end of the regular season. Denver-Minnesota is a play-in game for the playoffs. Every other game, there are some seeding issues, but non-contenders have their bags packed and the playoff teams will try to stay healthy for the weekend.

Toronto won five of last seven games with Miami; they’re 1-3 vs spread in last four visits to South Beach. Five of last six series games stayed under. Raptors won their last four games; they’re 1-3 vs spread in last four road games. Four of their last five games stayed under total. Miami lost its last two games by 24-22 points; they’re 0-4 vs spread in last four home games. Under is 5-2 in their last seven games.

Knicks lost nine of last 10 games with Cleveland, are 2-6 vs spread in last eight; New York is 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Ohio. Under is 6-3-1 in last ten series games. Knicks lost six of their last seven games; they’re 4-7 vs spread in last 11 games as road underdogs. For of their last five games went over. Cavaliers won eight of their last ten games; they’re 4-1 in last five games as home favorites. Last three Cleveland games went over.

Bucks won four of their last five games with Philly; they’re 2-2 vs spread in last four visits here. Over is 6-3 in last nine series games. Milwaukee won five of its last seven games; they’re 4-0 vs spread in last four road games. Over is 14-2 in their last 16 games. 76ers won their last 14 games, they’re 10-2 vs spread in last 12 (0-2 in last two). Under is 5-2 in their last seven games.

Wolves won four of last five games with Denver; under is 6-2 in last eight series games. Nuggets covered their last five visits here. Denver won its last six games, is 5-1 vs spread in its last six road games. Three of their last four games stayed under total. Minnesota won its last two games by 17-19 points; they’re 3-4-1 vs spread in last eight home games. Four of Wolves’ last five games stayed under. Winner of this game makes playoffs; loser goes home for summer.

Thunder won its last six games with Memphis, covering five of them. Eight of last ten series games went over the total. Memphis lost five of its last six games; they’re 2-4-1 vs spread in last seven road games. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Oklahoma City won three of last four games; they’re 0-3-1 vs spread in last four home games. Eight of last nine Thunder games stayed under.

Pelicans are 3-2 in last five games with the Spurs; under is 6-3 in last nine series games. Spurs are 0-4 vs spread in last four visits to Bourbon Street. Spurs won four of their last six games; they’re 0-6 vs spread in last six road games. Three of their last four games went over total. New Orleans won its last four games; they’re 6-2 vs spread in last eight home games. Three of their last four games went over.

Wizards won their last four games with the Magic; they covered their last four visits to Orlando. Four of last five series games went over. Washington lost eight of its last 11 games; they’re 1-6 vs spread in last seven road games. Four of their last five games went over total. Orlando lost six of its last eight games; they’re 1-3 in last four games as home underdogs. Three of their last four games went over total.

Celtics won their last eight games with Brooklyn (3-5 vs spread); Nets are 4-0 vs spread in last four visits here. Under is 6-3 in last nine series games. Nets won their last three games, scoring 119 ppg; they’re 8-1 vs spread in last nine games as a road underdog. Over is 8-5 in their last 13 games. Boston lost four of its last five games; they’re 1-9 vs spread in last ten games as home favorites. Four of their last five games went over.

Home side won last seven Detroit-Chicago games; Pistons are 0-3 vs spread in last three visits here. Three of last four series games went over. Detroit lost three of its last four games; they covered four of last five tries as road favorites. Six of their last nine games went over. Chicago lost its last three games; they’re 6-3 in last nine games as home underdogs. Four of their last five games went over total.

Jazz won four of last six games with Portland; they’re 1-4 vs spread in last five visits to Oregon. Four of last six series games stayed under the total. Utah won its last six games; they covered their last three road games. Five of their last six games went over total. Portland lost its last four games, all on road; they’re 6-1-2 vs spread in last nine home games. Three of their last four home games went over.

Rockets won last seven games with Sacramento; Kings covered last three. Houston is 2-3 vs spread in last five visits here. Under is 3-1 in last four series games. Houston won 14 of its last 16 games; they’re 2-4-1 vs spread in last seven road games. Six of their last seven games stayed under. Sacramento won three of its last four games; they’re 5-12 in last 17 games as home underdogs. Nine of their last ten games stayed under.

Clippers won their last six games with the Lakers (5-1 vs spread). Under is 6-4 in last ten series games. Lakers lost six of their last seven games; they’re 2-4 vs spread in last six games at Staples. Lakers are 4-5 vs spread if they played night before. Under is 9-6 in their last 15 games. Clippers lost five of their last six games; they’re 5-8 in last 13 games as home favorites. Four of their last five games went over.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Wednesday, April 11

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Trend Report
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Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Brooklyn is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Brooklyn is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Brooklyn is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Brooklyn is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Brooklyn's last 12 games on the road
Brooklyn is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Brooklyn is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games when playing Boston
Brooklyn is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Brooklyn is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Brooklyn's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Celtics
Boston is 13-6 ATS in its last 19 games
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Brooklyn
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Brooklyn
Boston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing at home against Brooklyn


Detroit Pistons
Detroit is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games
Detroit is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games
Detroit is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 5-19 SU in its last 24 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Detroit's last 11 games on the road
Detroit is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Chicago
Detroit is 7-13-1 ATS in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Detroit is 3-18 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago Bulls
Chicago is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games
Chicago is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
Chicago is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
Chicago is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Detroit
Chicago is 18-3 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Detroit


New York Knicks
New York is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
New York is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games
New York is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
New York is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
New York is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland
New York is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of New York's last 14 games when playing Cleveland
New York is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
New York is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Cleveland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Cleveland is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing New York
Cleveland is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland's last 14 games when playing New York
Cleveland is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against New York
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing at home against New York


Washington Wizards
Washington is 6-12-1 ATS in its last 19 games
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
Washington is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games on the road
Washington is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Orlando
Washington is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Orlando
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Washington is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando Magic
Orlando is 2-7-1 ATS in its last 10 games
Orlando is 4-14 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Orlando's last 19 games
Orlando is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Orlando is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
Orlando is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Washington
Orlando is 2-17 SU in its last 19 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games when playing Washington
Orlando is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
Orlando is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games when playing at home against Washington


Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is 4-21 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 7 games
Memphis is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Memphis is 1-21 SU in its last 22 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Memphis's last 8 games on the road
Memphis is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Memphis is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Memphis's last 9 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Oklahoma City is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Oklahoma City's last 9 games
Oklahoma City is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 8 games at home
Oklahoma City is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games when playing Memphis
Oklahoma City is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 9 games when playing at home against Memphis


Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 3-9-1 ATS in its last 13 games
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games on the road
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Miami
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Miami
Toronto is 4-14 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami Heat
Miami is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games
Miami is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Miami is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games at home
Miami is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Miami is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Miami is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Toronto


Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Milwaukee is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Milwaukee's last 16 games
Milwaukee is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Milwaukee is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 9 games on the road
Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Milwaukee is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 9 games when playing Philadelphia
Milwaukee is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 16-5 ATS in its last 21 games at home
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Philadelphia is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 9 games when playing Milwaukee
Philadelphia is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Philadelphia is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Milwaukee


San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 9 games
San Antonio is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
San Antonio is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games on the road
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans
San Antonio is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Antonio's last 9 games when playing New Orleans
San Antonio is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
San Antonio is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games at home
New Orleans is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
New Orleans is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Orleans's last 9 games when playing San Antonio
New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio
New Orleans is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio


Denver Nuggets
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Denver is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Denver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Denver is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Denver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Denver's last 8 games when playing Minnesota
Denver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Denver is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is 8-16-1 ATS in its last 25 games
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Minnesota is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Minnesota's last 13 games at home
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Denver
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing Denver
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
Minnesota is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Denver


Utah Jazz
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 6 games
Utah is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Utah is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 5 games on the road
Utah is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Portland
Utah is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 6 games when playing Portland
Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Utah is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Utah's last 15 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 14-5-2 ATS in its last 21 games
Portland is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Portland is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games
Portland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Portland is 15-2-2 ATS in its last 19 games at home
Portland is 20-3 SU in its last 23 games at home
Portland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Utah
Portland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games when playing Utah
Portland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Utah
Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Utah
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Portland's last 15 games when playing at home against Utah


Houston Rockets
Houston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Houston is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games
Houston is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Houston is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games on the road
Houston is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games when playing Sacramento
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Sacramento
Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 5 games
Sacramento is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Sacramento is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games at home
Sacramento is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games when playing Houston
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Sacramento is 8-16-1 ATS in its last 25 games when playing at home against Houston
Sacramento is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 7 games when playing at home against Houston


Los Angeles Lakers
LA Lakers is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
LA Lakers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
LA Lakers is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of LA Lakers's last 14 games on the road
LA Lakers is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Lakers is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of LA Lakers's last 14 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Lakers is 4-14 ATS in its last 18 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
LA Lakers is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Lakers's last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
LA Clippers is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
LA Clippers is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Clippers's last 5 games
LA Clippers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
LA Clippers is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of LA Clippers's last 11 games at home
LA Clippers is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Clippers is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of LA Clippers's last 14 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Clippers is 14-4 ATS in its last 18 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
LA Clippers is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Clippers's last 8 games when playing at home against LA Lakers

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, April 11

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

TORONTO (59 - 22) at MIAMI (43 - 38) - 4/11/2018, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 9-8 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 11-6 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

NEW YORK (28 - 53) at CLEVELAND (50 - 31) - 4/11/2018, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 6-5 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 10-1 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

MILWAUKEE (44 - 37) at PHILADELPHIA (51 - 30) - 4/11/2018, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 5-5 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 7-3 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DENVER (46 - 35) at MINNESOTA (46 - 35) - 4/11/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 39-66 ATS (-33.6 Units) in home games in April games since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 371-436 ATS (-108.6 Units) in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 6-5 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 6-5 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

MEMPHIS (22 - 59) at OKLAHOMA CITY (47 - 34) - 4/11/2018, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-3 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-2 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

SAN ANTONIO (47 - 34) at NEW ORLEANS (47 - 34) - 4/11/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 44-36 ATS (+4.4 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 1045-915 ATS (+38.5 Units) in all games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 7-4 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-4 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

WASHINGTON (43 - 38) at ORLANDO (24 - 57) - 4/11/2018, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 7-4 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 9-2 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

BROOKLYN (28 - 53) at BOSTON (54 - 27) - 4/11/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 47-30 ATS (+14.0 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 26-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
BROOKLYN is 46-34 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games this season.
BROOKLYN is 36-26 ATS (+7.4 Units) as an underdog this season.
BROOKLYN is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) in road games this season.
BROOKLYN is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games in the second half of the season this season.
BROOKLYN is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in road games revenging a home loss vs opponent this season.
BROOKLYN is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 28-17 ATS (+9.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BROOKLYN is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BROOKLYN is 7-4 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 9-2 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DETROIT (38 - 43) at CHICAGO (27 - 54) - 4/11/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 25-44 ATS (-23.4 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 7-4 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 7-4 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

UTAH (48 - 33) at PORTLAND (48 - 33) - 4/11/2018, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 44-30 ATS (+11.0 Units) in all games this season.
PORTLAND is 28-19 ATS (+7.1 Units) as a favorite this season.
PORTLAND is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
PORTLAND is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 145-110 ATS (+24.0 Units) in home games after allowing 90 points or less since 1996.
PORTLAND is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
UTAH is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) after allowing 85 points or less this season.
UTAH is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
UTAH is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
UTAH is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 6-5 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 6-5 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

HOUSTON (65 - 16) at SACRAMENTO (26 - 55) - 4/11/2018, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 6-4 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 9-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

LA LAKERS (34 - 47) at LA CLIPPERS (42 - 39) - 4/11/2018, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 6-5 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 10-1 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday's Essentials
April 11, 2018

Don’t call this the race for the No. 8 seed. That would be inaccurate. If the Nuggets win, they hold tie-breakers that would move them up. If they lose, they’re out. It would be an upset if the Timberwolves lose, both traditionally and in the grand scheme of things. Imagine if you brought Jimmy Butler on board and sign Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford to come play with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jimmy Butler. Denver and Minnesota were separated by a single game and knew they would play twice in the next week, squaring off again in Minneapolis to close the regular season next Wednesday. The Timberwolves hoped to have Jimmy Butler back from a knee injury for this first clash but will likely have to hang on without his services since he’s considered doubtful.

The Nuggets were without one of their top two-way players, Gary Harris, for the last 11 games. He returned after losing the first two without him in the lineup, Denver has won five of seven. Will Barton has stepped up on the wing, while Paul Millsap has played his way into a rhythm and is making the type of contributions the team envisioned getting down the stretch when they signed him this offseason.

Center Nikola Jokic’s brilliance has been the one constant, similar to how the Timberwolves’ most stable presence without Butler has been young forward Karl-Anthony Towns. Both teams play through the post, ranking around the middle-of-the-pack in the league in pace but among the bottom-five in defensive efficiency. It would be strange to see this crucial game wind up low-scoring, even though desperation often does yield unexpected results.

The Nuggets have surrendered 100 or more points in 29 straight games but have scored at least 103 in 28 of those. The ‘over’ is 21-7-1 in those contests, and there’s no reason to expect that they’ll slow things down at home since they like to take advantage of their familiarity with the altitude. Both meetings with the Wolves have topped the posted total, though Denver did lose at home, 112-104, on Dec. 20. Harris and Millsap were absent for that one too, while Minnesota has had Butler for both encounters and have ridden his 32-point scoring average to a pair of wins.

Towns has shot over 60 percent and is averaging 19.5 points and 11.5 rebounds against the Nuggets, but he’ll now have to produce as the focal point of the offense. He scored a career-high 56 points against Atlanta last week but is just 23-for-62 from the field in the other four games of this 2-3 stretch that has put the Wolves’ playoff status in doubt.

Jokic has made 47 of his 84 shot attempts from the field over his last four games, including 10-for-24 from 3-point range. He's averaged 29.2 points, 12.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists, bouncing back with a vengeance after a rough outing against Joel Embiid. Millsap looked like a shell of himself since returning on Feb. 27, demonstrating only glimpses of the version we're used to seeing. He appears to have worked the rust off, working at least 30 minutes in each of the last five games and averaging 22.4 points and 8.4 boards.

Minnesota hasn’t covered in a game since beating the Clippers on March 20 and is on a 1-7-1 run against the spread. Butler has been out since just after the All-Star break and it’s been obvious that Tom Thibodeau’s regulars haven’t had a lot in the tank after playing so many minutes looking to make up for their All-Star wing’s absence.

The Timberwolves have failed to hit the century mark in three of their last four games, something that hadn’t happened this season. They’ve only had one other instance where they didn’t hit 100 points in consecutive games and rebounded for a 116-98 win against the Pelicans on Jan. 6. Squaring off against a team that isn’t likely to bog them down may aid their cause. They’ve won four straight in the series, including the last two at Pepsi Center, averaging over 115 points per game in sweeping all Injury report

The Warriors are locked into the No. 2 seed in the West.

The only other game that’s even remotely close involves the East-leading Raptors, who would face No. 8-seed Miami. Detroit is running ninth and heavily invested in closing the gap to reach the postseason after acquiring Blake Griffin prior to the trade deadline.

After going on a run upon acquiring the five-time All-Star, Detroit has dropped five of six, which includes Sunday’s 114-98 loss in Charlotte that dropped the team to just 0-2 on the road since acquiring Griffin. Because they had a stretch of 13 home games in 15 dates between Jan. 19-Feb. 23, the Pistons now face a large portion of the next few weeks on the road, playing 13 of 16 outside their fancy new downtown arena. The Pistons haven’t covered a game in any of their last seven outings, winning just twice outright.

Detroit plays Toronto twice more this season, so finding a way to be productive tonight will likely be crucial to the team’s playoff aspirations. They just announced that point guard Reggie Jackson is in the closing stage of his rehab, beginning and shooting drills, but he’s still probably another week away. With important games against the Raptors, Bucks, Heat and Cavs on tap over the next 10 days, the Pistons are going to need Ish Smith and Jameer Nelson to hold down the fort to keep the season from really getting away from them.

We’ll see how they respond in a desperate situation in Toronto, but it doesn’t bode well that they’ve lost on the second of a back-to-back in blowout fashion the last two times they’ve taken the floor, although only one of those instances came with Griffin on board.

The Raptors lost to open play after All-Star, falling 122-119 in OT against Milwaukee. They’ve only lost consecutive games twice since December 1 and have covered six of their last eight.

[StarDust Bum]

'Minnesota way:' T-wolves face elimination game vs. Nuggets
April 10, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Andrew Wiggins left Minnesota's arena on Monday night with the hope that Denver would lose and, thus, secure the Timberwolves a spot in the playoffs.

He planned to track the Nuggets on his smartphone like most of his teammates, but there was no viewing party in the works or anxious huddle around the high-definition television in the locker room.

The Timberwolves mostly were just relieved they did their part by beating Memphis, considering way they've playing lately.

''It's our fault for leaving it up to chance,'' Wiggins said. ''So we've just got to wait and see.''

Fittingly for a once-promising season that has become a slog to the finish, the Wolves wound up watching the Nuggets rally past Portland about an hour after they left the court at Target Center. That kept Denver tied with Minnesota at 46-35 for eighth place in the Western Conference with two days remaining on the schedule.

Well, guess who their final opponent is? The Nuggets will bring a six-game winning streak to Target Center on Wednesday night.

''If it was easy it wouldn't be fun,'' center Karl-Anthony Towns said after practice Tuesday. ''If it was easy it wouldn't be the Minnesota way.''

The Wolves' last trip to the playoffs ended with a loss in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference finals in 2004, when Kevin Garnett was patrolling the post. Towns? He was 8 years old. Wiggins was 9.

''They've prepared themselves all year for this,'' coach Tom Thibodeau said, expressing confidence in the team's young cornerstones to perform up to the task despite missing critical postseason experience.

With the Nuggets and Wolves only one game behind New Orleans, Oklahoma City and San Antonio, the winner could receive quite the reward. Both Denver and Minnesota can still finish as high as fifth.

There'll be some relief and satisfaction just to be part of the 16-team tournament after the 82-game grind, but avoiding the eighth seed and a matchup with league-leading Houston would be preferable. Same goes for seventh place and pairing with defending NBA champion Golden State, a daunting foe even if star Steph Curry isn't cleared yet to return from his knee injury.

The Wolves were in control of a spot in the playoffs, as high as third place, for most of this season until Jimmy Butler's absence began to catch up to them and their primary competitors in the West cranked up their games. The Wolves have won both games with Butler back from the meniscus cartilage injury in his right knee, after going 8-9 without him, but losing at home to the Grizzlies two weeks ago even with their emotional leader and best all-around player missing was still inexcusable. Just one more win, and they'd already be safely in.

Nothing ever comes easy for this snake-bitten franchise, though, a history that Towns and Wiggins are well aware of.

''I've been here my whole career now,'' Wiggins said. ''So it's about time we do something.''

The Nuggets have their own long-frustrated fan base, with their last appearance in the playoffs coming in 2013. The last time they passed the first round was 2009, one of the franchise's three trips to the Western Conference finals since joining the NBA. The others were in 1978 and 1985.

Seven of Denver's last nine opponents are headed to the playoffs. The other two were against the Timberwolves, without Butler, and the Los Angeles Clippers, the only other teams in the league that haven't clinched but sport winning records. The Nuggets eliminated the Clippers (42-39) by beating them on Saturday.

They've had to do this the hard way, too.

''We wouldn't want it any other way,'' guard Gary Harris said.

The Nuggets have produced a remarkable series of clutch performances, with fourth-quarter moxie pushing them to this point as much as any specific skill or strength. They held the Blazers to just 33 points in the second half on Monday night, further galvanizing their belief that not only can they make the playoffs but be a factor once they begin.

''It's as high as it can be,'' coach Mike Malone said. ''I don't know if it can get any higher. To not play your best basketball and still find ways to win is a really encouraging and confidence-building type of feel.''

---

[StarDust Bum]

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

WAS at ORL 08:00 PM
ORL +5.5
U 205.5

MEM at OKC 08:00 PM
OKC -16.5
O 212.5

BK at BOS 08:00 PM
BK -2.0
U 206.0

TOR at MIA 08:00 PM
MIA -4.5
U 202.5

SA at NO 08:00 PM
NO -4.0
O 211.5

DEN at MIN 08:00 PM
DEN +3.5
U 216.0

DET at CHI 08:00 PM
CHI +4.0
O 212.5

MIL at PHI 08:00 PM
PHI -6.5
O 220.0

NY at CLE 08:00 PM
CLE -13.5
U 220.0

LAL at LAC 10:30 PM
LAL +2.5
O 216.5

UTA at POR 10:30 PM
POR -3.0
O 202.0

HOU at SAC 10:30 PM
SAC +3.0
O 203.0

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, April 11


Toronto @ Miami

Game 701-702
April 11, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
120.523
Miami
118.624
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 2
205
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 5
203
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+5); Over

New York @ Cleveland

Game 703-704
April 11, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
111.768
Cleveland
121.673
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 10
228
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 14 1/2
220
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(+14 1/2); Over

Milwaukee @ Philadelphia

Game 705-706
April 11, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
115.721
Philadelphia
124.609
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 9
224
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
by 6 1/2
220
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(-6 1/2); Over

Denver @ Minnesota

Game 707-708
April 11, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Denver
119.547
Minnesota
124.674
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 5
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 1 1/2
217 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-1 1/2); Under

Memphis @ Oklahoma City

Game 709-710
April 11, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Memphis
110.324
Oklahoma City
123.441
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 13
216
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 16 1/2
212
Dunkel Pick:
Memphis
(+16 1/2); Over

San Antonio @ New Orleans

Game 711-712
April 11, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
118.851
New Orleans
124.447
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 5 1/2
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Orleans
by 2
211 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(-2); Under

Washington @ Orlando

Game 713-714
April 11, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
122.190
Orlando
114.078
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 8
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 5 1/2
204 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-5 1/2); Under

Brooklyn @ Boston

Game 715-716
April 11, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Brooklyn
120.224
Boston
116.312
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Brooklyn
by 4
202
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Brooklyn
by 1
207 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Brooklyn
(-1); Under

Detroit @ Chicago

Game 717-718
April 11, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
115.402
Chicago
116.519
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 1
215
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
by 3
211 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+3); Over

Utah @ Portland

Game 719-720
April 11, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
130.017
Portland
119.539
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 10 1/2
203
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 4
200
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(+4); Over

Houston @ Sacramento

Game 721-722
April 11, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
117.334
Sacramento
116.298
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 3 1/2
202 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(+3 1/2); Over

LA Lakers @ LA Clippers

Game 723-724
April 11, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Lakers
117.223
LA Clippers
116.409
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Lakers
by 1
221
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
by 2 1/2
217
Dunkel Pick:
LA Lakers
(+2 1/2); Over

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Wednesday, April 11


Total Streaks

*The Over is 4-1 in the Celtics’ last five games.
*The Under is 10-3-1 in the last 14 games between the Knicks and Cavs.
*The Under is 4-1-1 in the Heat’s last six home games.
*The Under is 13-6 in the Magic’s last 19 games.
*The Over is 14-2 in the Bucks’ last 16 games.
*The Over is 10-3 in the Timberwolves’ last 13 home games.
*The Under is 4-0 in the Spurs’ last four road games.
*The Under is 4-0 in the Thunder’s last four games.
*The Over is 5-0 in Utah’s last five games.
*The Under is 5-0 in the Kings’ last five games.

Injury of Note

The last day of the season means rest for a lot of star players. Here’s a list of big-name players who won’t suit up for tonight’s games:

Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Los Angeles Clippers: Lou Williams
Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol
Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond
Washington Wizards: John Wall and Otto Porter

Trends

*The Nets are 35-16 ATS in their last 51 road games.
*The Knicks are 1-5 ATS in their last six games.
*The Cavaliers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games.
*The Heat are 1-5 in their last six games.
*The Wiz are 0-4 ATS in their last four games playing on zero days’ rest.
*The 76ers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games.
*The home team is 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings between the Bulls and Pistons.
*The Nuggets are 20-5-1 ATS in their last 26 games in Minnesota.
*The Spurs are 0-6 ATS in their last six road games.
*The Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last four games.

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NBA Game of the Day: Nuggets at Timberwolves betting odds and preview

Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves (-3.5, 215.5)

The final day of the regular season will decide seeding in each conference and give several teams a chance to get healthy or build momentum heading into the playoffs, but only one game is win or go home. The Minnesota Timberwolves (46-35 straight up, 36-42-3 against the spread) host the Denver Nuggets (46-35 SU, 37-41-3 ATS) on Wednesday, and the winner will advance to the postseason while the loser heads to the offseason earlier than anticipated.

The Timberwolves were in third place in the Western Conference at several points this season and could still finish as high as fifth with a win on Wednesday and some help, or they could miss the playoffs and continue a tough stretch in which the franchise has not qualified for the postseason since 2004.

“Don’t nobody like losing," Minnesota All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler told reporters. "Nobody in this locker room does at least. I think this city deserves to be in the playoffs. We’re the only ones who control that. ... If we win this game Wednesday, I think that puts us in the playoffs, right? So that’s what we’ve got to do."

Minnesota fans aren't overly thrilled with the play of the Timberwolves since the All-Star break. Supports at the Target Center booed the players on Monday at the close of the first quarter when the Wolves trailed the Memphis Grizzlies by six points. Minnesota would go on to win the game by 19 points.

Remember too, the puck drops in Game 1 of the NHL first round playoff series between the Minnesota Wild and the Winnipeg Jets an hour before the tip off between the Wolves and Nuggets. Whatever fans are at the Target Center on Wednesday night could be scoreboard watching.

The Nuggets are coming in hot with wins in the last six games and are well acquainted with win or go home basketball after needing a win to stay alive on Monday. Denver managed to overcome an 11-point, second-half deficit and earn an 88-82 victory while holding Portland to 13 points in the fourth quarter.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), FS North (Minnesota)

LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened with Minny as a 2.5-point home fave but the spread has grown to 3.5 points. The total opened at 213.5 and was bet down to 212 before rebounding all of the way up to 215.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Timberwolves - PF Taj Gibson (Questionable, Neck)

Nuggets - No significant injuries to report.

POWER RANKINGS: Nuggets (-3.5) - Timberwolves (-4.9) - Home court (-3.0) = Timberwolves -4.4

MATCHUP CHART:



ABOUT THE NUGGETS (46-35): Denver center Nikola Jokic is driving the team forward and collected 15 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists in Monday's win for his second straight triple-double and 10th of the season. The 23-year-old is averaging 23.7 points, 16 rebounds and 8.2 assists during the six-game winning streak but suffered through his worst shooting night of the stretch in a 100-96 home win over Minnesota on Thursday, when he went 6-of-20 from the floor. Shooting guard Gary Harris missed that meeting with a knee injury but returned from an 11-game absence on Monday and eased back into the rotation with 12 points in 18 minutes off the bench.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (46-35): Minnesota picked up wins in the last two games, coinciding with Butler's return from knee surgery. The veteran swingman played 23 minutes against the Lakers and the Grizzlies and averaged 16.5 points while going a combined 10-of-18 from the floor, and he was not afraid to call out his team after it fell behind the lowly Grizzlies by 10 points in the first half on Monday.

"We were just playing soft," Butler told reporter. "We tend to do that from time to time. Whenever we play hard, good things happen."

TRENDS:

*The Over is 22-9-1 in the Nuggets last 32 games.
*The Over is 10-3 in the Timberwolves 13 last home games.
*The Nuggets are 20-5-1 ATS in the last 26 games at Minnesota.
*The Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.
*The Under is 4-1 in the Wolves' last five games.

[StarDust Bum]

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

WAS at ORL 08:00 PM
ORL +5.5
U 205.5

MEM at OKC 08:00 PM
OKC -16.5
O 212.5

BK at BOS 08:00 PM
BK -2.0
U 206.0

TOR at MIA 08:00 PM
MIA -4.5
U 202.5

SA at NO 08:00 PM
NO -4.0
O 211.5

DEN at MIN 08:00 PM
DEN +3.5
U 216.0

DET at CHI 08:00 PM
CHI +4.0
O 212.5

MIL at PHI 08:00 PM
PHI -6.5
O 220.0

NY at CLE 08:00 PM
CLE -13.5
U 220.0

LAL at LAC 10:30 PM
LAL +2.5
O 216.5

UTA at POR 10:30 PM
POR -3.0
O 202.0

HOU at SAC 10:30 PM
SAC +3.0
O 203.0

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Timberwolves beat Nuggets in OT to reach playoffs
April 11, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Jimmy Butler scored 31 points, Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 14 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves ended the NBA's longest-running playoff drought, beating the Denver Nuggets 112-106 in overtime Wednesday night in the first final-day play-in game in the league in 21 years.

When the final horn blew, the capacity and white-towel-waving crowd at Target Center stood to soak in Minnesota's first postseason appearance since 2004. Butler flashed a smile of relief as he hugged his teammates and confetti fluttered above the floor. The fans chanted ''MVP! ''MVP!'' as Butler conducted a postgame interview.

Jokic locked in a classic big man battled with Towns, finishing with 35 points and 10 rebounds, but he missed six of his last eight shots after the third quarter as Denver's late push fell a few points short.

The Timberwolves are moving on to play, gulp, the NBA-best Houston Rockets in the first round.

Will Barton, who had 24 points, made a 3-pointer to beat the shot clock for Denver's first lead, 104-103, since midway through the first quarter. After Taj Gibson hounded Jokic to force an air-balled 3-point try, Jeff Teague swished a floater with 1:19 left in overtime to put the Wolves back in front for good.

Andrew Wiggins sank two foul shots with 15 seconds remaining to finish with 18 points, and the Wolves were finally on their way to a celebration more than a decade in the making.

THUNDER 137, GRIZZLIES 123

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Russell Westbrook clinched a triple-double average for the second straight season, Paul George scored 40 points and Oklahoma beat Memphis.

Westbrook entered the night needing 16 rebounds to clinch the triple-double average. He pulled down his 16th rebound with just over nine minutes left in the third quarter and received a standing ovation. He finished with just six points, but had a career-high 20 rebounds and 19 assists.

Steven Adams scored 24 points. and Corey Brewer added 17 for the Thunder, who matched a franchise record with 20 made 3-pointers. Dillon Brooks scored a career-high 36 points for Memphis.

76ERS 130, BUCKS 95

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Joel Embiid and JJ Redick watched from the bench, Ben Simmons had a scoreless first half and Philadelphia still won its 16th consecutive game to take the No. 3 Eastern Conference seed.

Fultz had his first career triple-double with 13 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Justin Anderson led the Sixers with 25 points, and Dario Saric had 24.

Embiid wore a black mask during warmups to protect his broken bone around his left eye, then changed into gold sneakers and a peach-colored jacket to watch the Sixers romp to a stunning 80-44 lead at the break. Embiid said he will likely miss at least Game 1 of the playoffs this weekend because of the injury.

KNICKS 110, CAVALIERS 98

CLEVELAND (AP) - LeBron James played in his 82nd game, scored 10 points and then got some rest for the playoffs in Cleveland's loss to New York in coach Jeff Hornacek's likely last game with the Knicks.

James had never played every game in his 15-year NBA career. But he capped a remarkable season in which he seemed to break a record every night by adding another accomplishment to his long list of achievements. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said he tried to talk James out of playing, but he gave in and allowed the 33-year-old to extend his record of scoring in double digits to 873 consecutive games before taking him out. James finished with 10 points and five rebounds in 10:33.

Knicks rookie Luke Kornet scored a season-high 23 points.

HEAT 116, RAPTORS 109, OT

MIAMI (AP) - Wayne Ellington scored a career-high 32 points and set Miami's single-season record for 3-pointers, helping the Heat wrap up the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Ellington finished with eight 3-pointers, giving him 227 for the season. He topped the mark set by Damon Jones, who made 225 in 2004-05. Kelly Olynyk, Dwyane Wade, Justise Winslow, James Johnson and Tyler Johnson each scored 11 points for the Heat.

Kyle Lowry scored 28 points for Toronto, which already had the top seed in the East wrapped up.

PELICANS 122, SPURS 98

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Anthony Davis had 22 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and three steals, and New Orleans assured itself no worse than the sixth seed in the Western Conference.

Rajon Rondo had 19 points and 14 assists, Nikola Mirotic had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday added 19 points for the Pelicans

LaMarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker and Dejounte Murray each scored 11 points for San Antonio.

MAGIC 101, WIZARDS 92

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Rodney Purvis scored 16 points for Orlando and Mario Hezonja finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Jodie Meeks came off the bench to score 18 points for Washington. They lost five of their last six games to take the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

CELTICS 110, NETS 97

BOSTON (AP) - Aron Baynes led a short-handed Boston lineup with a career-best 26 points and 14 rebounds, carrying the Celtics past Brooklyn.

Jonathan Gibson scored 18 points, Guerschon Yabusele had 16 and Shane Larkin added 12 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for the Celtics. Nik Stauskas scored 18 points for the Nets.

PISTONS 119, BULLS 87

CHICAGO (AP) - Rookie Luke Kennard scored a career-high 23 points and Eric Moreland set career bests with 16 points and 17 rebounds for Detroit.

Anthony Tolliver had 18 points and Henry Ellenson added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie Lauri Markkanen had 20 points for Chicago.

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It's playoff time: The NBA's first-round pairings are set
April 12, 2018

MIAMI (AP) The brackets for the NBA playoffs are set, with all eight first-round matchups decided on the very last night of the regular season.

Portland beat Utah in the final game on the schedule. The Trail Blazers earned the No. 3 seed and will play No. 6 New Orleans, while Oklahoma City climbed into the No. 4 spot and will take on the fifth-seeded Jazz.

No. 1 Houston plays No. 8 Minnesota in another West quarterfinal, and defending NBA champion Golden State - the No. 2 seed in the West - meets No. 7 San Antonio.

In the East, No. 1 Toronto will play No. 8 Washington, No. 2 Boston meets No. 7 Milwaukee, No. 3 Philadelphia faces No. 6 Miami and No. 4 Cleveland opens against No. 5 Indiana.