Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 04-14-2018, 11:41 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Saturday, April 14

San Antonio @ Golden State

Game 501-502
April 14, 2018 @ 3:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
119.637
Golden State
130.775
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 11
216
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 8
209 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-8); Over

Washington @ Toronto

Game 503-504
April 14, 2018 @ 5:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
112.706
Toronto
122.923
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 10
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 7 1/2
211
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-7 1/2); Under

Miami @ Philadelphia

Game 505-506
April 14, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
119.064
Philadelphia
124.112
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 5
213
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
by 7
210
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+7); Over

New Orleans @ Portland

Game 507-508
April 14, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
125.963
Portland
122.136
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 4
201
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 6
217 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(+6); Under

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, April 14

 Spurs vs Warriors (0-0)   
No Curry or Leonard in this series. Spurs (47-35) had their worst record in Gregg Popovich’s 21 years as head coach; they won their first round playoff series 14 of last 17 years, but were favored in those. San Antonio lost eight of last nine games with Golden State; they’re 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Oakland. Warriors (58-24) won their fewest games since 2014; they played in NBA Finals last three years. Spurs are 0-7 vs spread in last seven road games; their last road cover was March 8, a 110-107 (+11) loss here in Oakland. Warriors are 0-5 vs spread in last five home games.

Wizards vs Raptors (0-0)
  Toronto (59-23) won most games in franchise history; they won first round series last two years, but have never been to NBA Finals. Raptors won their last four home games overall (2-1-1 vs spread). Washington is in playoffs for 4th time in five years; they won their last three first round series. Wizards are 3-7 in last ten games with Toronto, 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Canada. Road team won five of last seven series games; under is 7-3 in last ten series games. Wizards lost six their last six road games (1-5 vs spread).

Heat vs 76ers (0-0)  
Philadelphia won its last 16 games, longest winning streak ever going into playoffs; Sixers are in playoffs for first time since 2012- they lost four of last five first round series. Home side won last nine Miami-Philly games; Heat is 2-3 vs spread in last five games in this building. Three of last four series games stayed under total. 76ers’ last loss was March 13; they’re 7-2 vs spread in last nine home games. Heat is in playoffs for 8th time in last ten years; they won last five first round series. Miami split its last ten games; they’re 1-2-1 vs spread in last four road games.

Pelicans vs Trailblazers (0-0)
  New Orleans is in playoffs for first time since ’15 and only 2nd time in last seven years; they lost last three first round series- last time they won a playoff series was 2008. Pelicans won four of last six games with Portland; they’re 2-2 vs spread in last five visits to Oregon. New Orleans is without Cousins; they won/covered last five games overall (over 4-1), with wins at Oakland and the Clippers. Blazers are in playoffs for 5th straight year; they’re 2-8 in last ten first round series. Portland won its last three home games overall (2-1 vs spread).

NBA

Saturday, April 14

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
San Antonio is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 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 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games on the road
San Antonio is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Golden State
San Antonio is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 9 games when playing Golden State
San Antonio is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 6-15 ATS in its last 21 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games
Golden State is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Golden State is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games at home
Golden State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games at home
Golden State is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing San Antonio
Golden State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 9 games when playing San Antonio
Golden State is 8-13-2 ATS in its last 23 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Golden State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio

Washington Wizards
Washington is 6-13-1 ATS in its last 20 games
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games
Washington is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Toronto
Washington is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Washington's last 11 games when playing Toronto
Washington is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Washington is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 3-10-1 ATS in its last 14 games
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games
Toronto is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Toronto is 17-3 SU in its last 20 games at home
Toronto is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Washington
Toronto is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 11 games when playing Washington
Toronto is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
Toronto is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Washington

Miami Heat
Miami is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Miami is 2-4-2 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Miami is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Miami's last 12 games on the road
Miami is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Philadelphia
Miami is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is 11-3 ATS in its last 14 games
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Philadelphia is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Miami
Philadelphia is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Miami
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Miami
Philadelphia is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing at home against Miami

New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games
New Orleans is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games on the road
New Orleans is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 7 games on the road
New Orleans is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Portland
New Orleans is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Portland
New Orleans is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Portland
New Orleans is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Orleans's last 9 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 15-5-2 ATS in its last 22 games
Portland is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Portland is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Portland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Portland is 16-2-2 ATS in its last 20 games at home
Portland is 21-3 SU in its last 24 games at home
Portland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
Portland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
Portland is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Portland is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Portland's last 9 games when playing at home against New Orleans

**StarDust Bum** · 04-14-2018, 11:42 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, April 14

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SAN ANTONIO (47 - 35) at GOLDEN STATE (58 - 24) - 4/14/2018, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 129-95 ATS (+24.5 Units) in April games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 56-35 ATS (+17.5 Units) in all playoff games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 24-8 ATS (+15.2 Units) in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 1045-916 ATS (+37.4 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 142-108 ATS (+23.2 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 33-46 ATS (-17.6 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 32-41 ATS (-13.1 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 15-24 ATS (-11.4 Units) in home games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 14-27 ATS (-15.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 4-16 ATS (-13.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 9-6 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 11-4 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WASHINGTON (43 - 39) at TORONTO (59 - 23) - 4/14/2018, 5:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 36-44 ATS (-12.4 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 68-49 ATS (+14.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 195-247 ATS (-76.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

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

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MIAMI (44 - 38) at PHILADELPHIA (52 - 30) - 4/14/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 48-34 ATS (+10.6 Units) in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 33-22 ATS (+8.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) in home games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in home games on Saturday games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) against Southeast division opponents this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 60-41 ATS (+14.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) after scoring 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MIAMI is 90-70 ATS (+13.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 54-35 ATS (+15.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 49-30 ATS (+16.0 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 43-30 ATS (+10.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 24-8 ATS (+15.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
MIAMI is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 6-5 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 7-4 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW ORLEANS (48 - 34) at PORTLAND (49 - 33) - 4/14/2018, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 44-71 ATS (-34.1 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
PORTLAND is 45-30 ATS (+12.0 Units) in all games this season.
PORTLAND is 29-19 ATS (+8.1 Units) as a favorite this season.
PORTLAND is 23-14 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games this season.
PORTLAND is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
PORTLAND is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
PORTLAND is 24-15 ATS (+7.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
PORTLAND is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
PORTLAND is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
PORTLAND is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 45-36 ATS (+5.4 Units) in all games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 26-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) in road games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in road games after scoring 115 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 6-6 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 6-6 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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Sunday, April 15

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MILWAUKEE (44 - 38) at BOSTON (55 - 27) - 4/15/2018, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 74-91 ATS (-26.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 376-456 ATS (-125.6 Units) in the second half of the season since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 201-247 ATS (-70.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 48-30 ATS (+15.0 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) off an upset win as an underdog this season.
BOSTON is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 27-15 ATS (+10.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 135-98 ATS (+27.2 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games after allowing 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 7-4 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-4 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA (48 - 34) at CLEVELAND (50 - 32) - 4/15/2018, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 47-35 ATS (+8.5 Units) in all games this season.
INDIANA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) on Sunday games this season.
INDIANA is 33-18 ATS (+13.2 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 74-51 ATS (+17.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
CLEVELAND is 32-49 ATS (-21.9 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 19-43 ATS (-28.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 20-34 ATS (-17.4 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 11-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 11-5 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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UTAH (48 - 34) at OKLAHOMA CITY (48 - 34) - 4/15/2018, 6:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 33-47 ATS (-18.7 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 24-41 ATS (-21.1 Units) as a favorite this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 15-24 ATS (-11.4 Units) in home games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) in home games in April games since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 16-25 ATS (-11.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-4 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-2 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MINNESOTA (47 - 35) at HOUSTON (65 - 17) - 4/15/2018, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 372-436 ATS (-107.6 Units) in the second half of the season since 1996.
HOUSTON is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) against Northwest division opponents this season.
HOUSTON is 118-88 ATS (+21.2 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders since 1996.
HOUSTON is 37-50 ATS (-18.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.

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

**StarDust Bum** · 04-14-2018, 11:43 AM

Saturday's NBA Playoffs betting preview and odds

The opening round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs tip off Saturday with four games on the schedule, including the defending champion Warriors taking on the Spurs and the super exciting 76ers looking to extend their 16 game winning streak over to the postseason in their opener against the Heat.

San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors (-8, 206)

The San Antonio Spurs thought they had a chance to knock off the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals last season and held a big lead in Game 1 until superstar Kawhi Leonard went down with an ankle injury. Leonard will be missing again when the teams meet a couple rounds earlier this sping, but Golden State will also be down a man, with former MVP Stephen Curry expected to miss at least this series with a knee sprain.

ABOUT THE SPURS (47-35, 42, 38-2 ATS, 38-44 O/U): Second-year point guard Dejounte Murray found himself thrust into the rotation in the Western Conference finals last season after Tony Parker went down with an injury, but he is more comfortable now after spending most of 2017-18 as the starter. "It's a new year, new playoffs," Murray told reporters. "We've got to execute the game plan. Coach has a good game plan and we've got to go out - it's up to the players to execute the game plan. It's not going to be perfect, but we can still execute and get the best out of it." Murray adds some youth to a roster that leans heavily on the likes of Ginobili, Pau Gasol, age 37, Danny Green, 30, and Rudy Gay, 31.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (58-24, 34-47-1 ATS, 39-43 O/U): Golden State is 17-14 this season in games missed by Curry, but the team will lean on All-Stars Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in the first round. Durant, who dealt with a rib injury late in the regular season, averaged 26.4 points on 51.6 percent shooting and has the confidence of his teammates to lead the way. "We all want Steph to be here," Quinn Cook, who is starting in place of Curry, told reporters, "but it gives us so much confidence knowing that we have another one of the greatest players to ever play the game."

SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Warriors hit the board as low as -6.5 at some shops, but they were quickly moved to the current number of -8. According to William Hill US, the Warriors are seeing a slight majority of the tickets (54 percent), but its the Spurs who are seeing the slight edge in the money wagered (55 percent). The total has seen evn more movement. Since opening at 211, it has dropped five points to 206.

INJURY REPORT:

Spurs - SF K. Leonard (Out, quadricep).

Warriors - A. Iguodala (Probable, knee), PG S. Curry (Out, knee), SG P. McCaw (Out, back), SF C. Boucher (Out, ankle).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Spurs are 0-7 ATS in their last seven road games.
* Warriors are 0-5 ATS in their last five home games.
* Over is 5-0 in Spurs last five road games.
* Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings in Golden State.
* Favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.

Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors (-8, 211)

The Toronto Raptors set a franchise record for wins during the regular season and earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in team history. The Raptors will set about trying to make the deepest postseason run in franchise history when they start by hosting the eighth-seeded Washington Wizards in Game 1 of their first-round series on Saturday.

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (43-39, 37-44-1 ATS, 36-44-2 O/U): Washington stumbled to the end of the regular season with losses in nine of the last 12 games to fall from contention for a top-four seed all the way down to eighth in the East. “If you look at the big picture, we’ve struggled this past 10 days or so,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "But prior to that, the story to me was that we battled and fought and put ourselves into playoff position, and we did it with John (Wall) missing half of the season. For some strange reason, we didn't finish the job. These last 10 or 12 days we’ve been up and down. We've let go of the rope a little bit." Wall missed over two months with a knee injury before returning on March 31 and he averaged 28.5 points and 13.5 rebounds over his last two games.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (59-23, 43-38-1 ATS, 41-40-1 O/U): Toronto was swept in the first round by the Wizards in 2015 but is a different team now with only three players remaining from that squad, so it will try to avenge that loss and acheive another milestone, winning Game 1 of a first-round postseason series for the first time. "It's a phenomenon," Raptors coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "There is always that one hurdle you've got to overcome. That's the major one we've got to overcome. "It's got to be mental more than anything." All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry, who combined with fellow All-Star DeMar DeRozan to go 9-of-32 from the field in a Game 1 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks last spring, suggested the team approach Game 1 like a Game 7.

SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Raptors opened as 8-point home favorites at most books. They dropped to -7.5 at some shops, but are back to the opening number at most places. That being said, bettors are hammering the Wizards ATS according to William Hill US, who are seeing 68 percent of tickets and a whopping 94 percent of the dollars wagerd on this game. The total opened at 211.5 and has seen little movement, with the current number at 211.

INJURY REPORT:

Wizards - SF O. Porter Jr. (Questionable, calf), PF M. Scott (Questionable, concussion).

Raptors - PF S. Ibaka (Probable, mouth), C L. Nogueira (Questionable, hamstring), PG F. VanVleet (Questionable, shoulder), PF P. Siakam (Questionable, shoulder).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Wizards are 1-7 ATS in their last eight road games.
* Raptors are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
* Over is 9-3 in Wizards last 12 vs. Atlantic Division opponents.
* Under is 12-2 in the last 14 meetings in Toronto.
* Wizards are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Toronto.

Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers (-6.5, 212)

The Philadelphia 76ers enter the postseason on a roll but will be without All-Star center Joel Embiid when they host the Miami Heat in Saturday's opening game of the Eastern Conference first-round series. Embiid missed the final eight games of the regular season with an orbital fracture but his absence didn't stop the 76ers from stretching their winning streak to a franchise-record 16 straight games.

ABOUT THE HEAT (44-38, 40-36-6 ATS, 37-44-1 O/U): All-Star point guard Goran Dragic missed the regular-season finale with a bone bruise in his right knee but indicated that he expects to be in the lineup for Saturday's opener. "I'm doing everything that I can," Dragic told reporters. "Probably, I'm going to feel it a little bit, but it's not going to bother me. That's the only thing that I'm about, I can play through the pain." Dragic leads the squad in scoring (17.3) and assists (4.8) and his fitness will be crucial as he will be called on to slow down standout Philadelphia rookie Ben Simmons.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (52-30, 47-33-2 ATS, 41-40-1 O/U): Simmons recorded 10 or more assists on 10 occasions during Philadelphia's 16-game winning streak and he averages 15.8 points, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds. He recorded 12 triple-doubles, second all-time among rookies behind legendary Oscar Robertson (26 in 1960-61) and either Simmons or Utah guard Donovan Mitchell will win Rookie of the Year honors. The 76ers have fared well without Embiid's 22.9 points and 11 rebounds and that impressed coach Brett Brown with one disclaimer - "I feel like what we've been doing without Joel is good, but what you should hear completely the loudest is that I can't wait for him to get back," Brown told reporters.

SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Sixers hit the board as 6.5-point home favorites and have been bet as high as -7.5 before returning to the opening number. The total opened at 210 and is up two points to 212. Bettors like the 76ers in this spot, with Philly seeing 75 percent of the tickets and 86 percent of the money for Game 1.

INJURY REPORT:

Heat - PG G. Dragic (Probable, knee), C H. Whiteside (Questionable, undisclosed), SG D. Waiters (Out, ankle).

76ers - SG J. Reddick (Questionable, back), C J. Embiid (Doubtful, eye), SG T. Luwawu-Cabarrot (Out, knee).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Heat are 8-3-3 ATS in their last 14 games following an ATS win.
* 76ers are 6-0 ATS in their last six games playing on two days rest.
* Over is 9-3 in Heat last 12 road games.
* Under is 6-0 in 76ers last six games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
* Home team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.

New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers (-5.5, 217)

Five-time All-Star Anthony Davis has never been part of a postseason victory during his stellar career and he looks to change that fact when the New Orleans Pelicans open their Western Conference first-round series on Saturday against the host Portland Trail Blazers.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (48-34, 45-36-1 ATS, 47-35 O/U): Sixth-seeded New Orleans won its final five games of the regular season and recorded its third-highest victory total (48) in franchise history, and the prime reason is the 25-year-old Davis, the star power forward who averaged 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots. The Pelicans were swept in four games by the Golden State Warriors in 2015 in Davis' lone previous playoff experience, where he averaged 31.5 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. New Orleans persevered despite a season-ending injury to All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins with Holiday (career-high 19-point average) among the players who picked up the scoring slack.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (49-33, 45-32-5 ATS, 35-47 O/U): Having homecourt advantage is big for a Portland team that won 21 of its last 24 home contests and is supremely confident inside the Moda Center. The Trail Blazers are hoping center Jusuf Nurkic will be up to the task of slowing Davis while also building on his career-best averages of 14.3 points and nine rebounds to go along with a career-high 27 double-doubles. Shooting guard CJ McCollum (21.4) is a strong scoring complement to Lillard but his second-worst outing of the season came against the Pelicans just two-plus weeks ago, when he tallied seven points on 3-of-19 shooting.

SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Blazers opened as 5.5-point home favorites at most books and that's where the number remains as of Friday night. The total also hasn't seen much movement, currently sitting at the opening number of 217. While the Pelicans are seeing a slight edge in tickets written (52 percent) according to William Hill US, the Blazers are seeing a good majority of the money (67 percent).

INJURY REPORT:

Pelicans - C A. Ajinca (Out, knee), PG F. Jackson (Out, foot), C D. Cousins (Out, achilles).

Blazers - SF M. Harkless (Out, knee), SG C. Wilcox (Out, knee).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Trail Blazers are 14-3 ATS in their last 17 games vs. a team with a winning SU record.
* Under is 7-2-1 in Pelicans last 10 games vs. a team with a winning SU record.
* Over is 6-1 in Trail Blazers last seven games following a ATS win.
* Favorite is 10-3 ATS in the last 13 meetings.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-14-2018, 11:44 AM

NBA Playoffs 4-point play: Best ways to bet today’s NBA odds

The NBA Playoffs are here and there are a number of statistics and betting trends that have us going hmmmmm….

For instance:

The road has not been kind to the San Antonio Spurs this season. The Spurs went 15-24-2 against the spread away from the AT&T Center and 3-16 ATS as road underdogs. San Antonio averaged 5.5 fewer points per game when it was on the road compared to when it played on its home floor.

The Golden State Warriors, meanwhile, are 14-5 against the spread when giving 9.5 or fewer points at home in the playoffs since 2015. Oddsmakers have the Dubs as 8-point home favorites against the Spurs in Game 1 Saturday.

Here are three other betting need-to-know angles we have our eyes on for the first day of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

Raptors Game 1 struggles

The Toronto Raptors are 1-12 straight up and 2-11 against the spread in Game 1 of the 13 NBA playoff series they’ve been a part of. Even worse, the Dinos are 0-7 SU and ATS in Game 1 of playoff matchups in the Kyle Lowry/DeMar DeRozan era.

Be on the lookout for player props for Bradley Beal in this series. The Wizards shooting guard averaged 28.8 points in four games against the Raptors this season – which was his highest average against an Eastern Conference opponent. He averaged 22.6 points per game on the campaign overall and his Over/Under point total for Saturday's Game 1 is set at 22.5 (Over -120).

Sixers pushing the pace

Joel Embiid doesn’t sound like he’ll be playing in Game 1 of the Philadelphia 76ers-Miami Heat series because of his facial injury but he's expected to return to the Sixers’ lineup at some point during the first round of the playoffs.

Philly enters the postseason riding a 16-game winning streak with nine of those victories coming with Embiid missing all or most of the game. The 76ers are Ben Simmons’ team without Embiid on the floor and the rookie point forward likes to push the pace.

Philadelphia averaged three more possessions per 48 minutes without Embiid on the floor after the All-Star break and played with the fastest tempo in the Association over the final 15 games of the regular season.

The Game 1 total (212) is the lowest Over/Under line in a Sixers game since March 13th.

Pelicans soar in clutch situations

The Pelicans outscored their opponents after the All-Star break by 20.6 points per 100 possessions in clutch situations. Clutch is defined as any point with five or fewer minutes left in the fourth quarter or overtime and the game score separated by five or fewer points.

It might be worth taking a flyer on the Pelicans if they’re down a few buckets in the fourth quarter and are paying a decent return on the live in-game board.

And don’t forget about playoff Rondo for all you player prop bettors. Rajon Rondo hasn’t seen much action in postseason games over the last few years but it’s apparent he ratchets up his game to another level this time of the year.

He was a big part of the reason the Bulls went 2-0 up on the No. 1 seed Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs last spring. Rondo averaged 11.5 points, 10 assists, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals in two games before picking up an injury that kept him out for the rest of the series against Boston. Rondo's points/rebounds/assists prop total is set at 23.5 (Over -120) for Game 1 Saturday.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-14-2018, 11:50 AM

SATURDAY, APRIL 14
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

SA at GS 03:00 PM
GS -8.0
O 206.5

WAS at TOR 05:30 PM
WAS +8.0
U 211.0

MIA at PHI 08:00 PM
MIA +6.0
U 215.5

NO at POR 10:30 PM
POR -5.5
O 217.5

**StarDust Bum** · 04-15-2018, 02:24 AM

Warriors back to dominant selves, top Spurs 113-92 in Game 1
April 14, 2018

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Kevin Durant helped the defending champions get defensive in a hurry, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as the Golden State Warriors returned to their old dominant selves at playoff time to beat the cold-shooting San Antonio Spurs 113-92 on Saturday.

Durant, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson took charge in Game 1 of the first-round series to elevate the Warriors' intensity at last playing without fellow All-Star and injured two-time MVP Stephen Curry, sidelined since March 23 with a sprained left knee.

Thompson found his shot and scored 27 points, making 11 of 13 shots, while 7-footer JaVale McGee started in Steve Kerr's center-by-committee approach and contributed 15 points, four rebounds and two blocked shots in 16 minutes.

Rudy Gay led the Spurs with 15 points off the bench as leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge was limited to 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Monday night at Oracle Arena.

76ERS 130, HEAT 103

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Ben Simmons had 17 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds in his playoff debut, and Philadelphia romped again without Joel Embiid, beating Miami for its 17th straight win.

Embiid was a spectator in Game 1 of the first-round series because of a broken orbital bone around his left eye. The All-Star center has been hopeful he can return early in the series. The Sixers could end this one early with Embiid back in the lineup.

Simmons dished and dazzled in the paint and the Heat had no answer for Sixers reserves Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova. Belinelli and Ilyasova combined to hit four 3-pointers in the third quarter that helped shift the tone from physical and foul-filled to a long-distance game that allowed the Sixers to put away this one. They used a 15-0 run in the third in their first postseason game in five seasons under coach Brett Brown to get the rout rolling.

JJ Redick scored 28 points to lead the Sixers, who host Game 2 on Monday. Belinelli had 25 and Ilyasova 17.

RAPTORS 114, WIZARDS 106

TORONTO (AP) - Serge Ibaka had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Delon Wright scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, and Toronto snapped a 10-game losing streak in playoff series openers by beating Washington.

DeMar DeRozan added 17 points, C.J. Miles and OG Anunoby each had 12, and Kyle Lowry had 11 points and nine assists for the Raptors, whose only previous victory in the opening game of a playoff series came in the second round against Philadelphia in 2001.

Toronto entered having lost an NBA-worst 10 consecutive Game 1s since, including six at home.

The top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, Toronto made 16 of 30 3-point attempts, with Miles making four, and Ibaka and Wright each hitting three.

The Raptors host Game 2 on Tuesday.

John Wall had 23 points and 15 assists for the Wizards, while Markieff Morris had 22 points and 11 rebounds.

PELICANS 97 TRAILBLAZERS 95

**StarDust Bum** · 04-15-2018, 02:28 AM

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY APRIL 15, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
1:00 PM Milwaukee Bucks Boston Celtics TD Garden
3:30 PM Indiana Pacers Cleveland Cavaliers Quicken Loans Arena
6:30 PM Utah Jazz Oklahoma City Thunder Chesapeake Energy Arena
9:00 PM Minnesota Timberwolves Houston Rockets Toyota Center

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

NBA PLAYOFF RECORD:

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

04/14/2018 1-6-1 14.29% -28.00

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

Sunday’s 6-pack

— Warriors 113, Spurs 92— Gregg Popovich has won five NBA titles, so he gets away with being a jerk during in-game interviews and in press conferences. No bueno.

— Why do NBA warmup jackets have hoods on them?

— Denver Broncos will have eight new assistant coaches this season.

— Tampa Bay P Jake Faria’s family had season tickets to the Angels growing up; both his mom and his stepfather are powerlifters.

— Former NBA star Dan Majerle turned down a chance to interview for the Phoenix Suns’ head coaching job, to stay on as coach at Grand Canyon University.

— Washington center Marcin Gortat got a foul on the opening tap of the Wizard-Raptor game. Don’t see that happen too much.

Quote of the Day
“I’m a perfectionist, so I thought I could have done better. I felt that I helped myself out, and my agent [Leigh Steinberg] felt the same way. My thing is, I can throw with all these guys; I just don’t have the experience they do because I sat behind Pat the last two years. But as far as getting out there and throwing, I think I’m right up there with these guys.”
Texas Tech QB Nic Shimonek, who threw for 3,963 yards, 33 TD’s, 10 INT’s as Tech’s starting QB in 2017, and now hopes to play in the NFL

Sunday’s quiz
Steve Kerr was once the GM of which NBA team?

Saturday’s quiz
Kevin Durant began his NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics, in 2007-08. Sonics then moved to Oklahoma City the next year.

Friday’s quiz
Phil Mickelson’s brother/caddy used to be the golf coach at Arizona State.

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

Sunday’s List of 13: Wrapping up a cloudy Saturday

13) Philadelphia Phillies gave rookie 2B Scott Kingery a 6-year, $23M contract with options beyond that, before he ever played a major league game.

OF Nick Williams played 83 games as a rookie for the Phillies LY; he hit .283 with 55 RBI, pretty solid production. Not only is he still making the $553,000 league minimum, they don’t start him anymore, now that Rhys Hoskins has moved to the outfield. He started in Tampa Bay this weekend because its an AL park so they have the DH.

Williams must be really freakin’ happy.

12) QB Josh Allen will be the first Wyoming Cowboy taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1976, when they had two players taken in first round.

11) Weird stat: Rangers’ DH/OF Joey Gallo has 53 career home runs, 50 career singles.

10) Foot of snow in Minnesota this weekend; why didn’t these geniuses put a retractable dome on their new baseball stadium? Twins might not play for close to a week; I have Jose Abreu on my fantasy team— he’s getting the second half of this week off. No bueno.

Seriously; Sunday’s doubleheader was postponed at 4:00 Saturday. Awesome.

9) UCLA fired assistant basketball coach/Air Force veteran David Grace, a decorated military veteran who served in the Air Force during Operation Desert Storm.

He’s been given credit for bringing in some of UCLA’s top recruits over the last several years, including T.J. Leaf, Ike Anigbogu and Jaylen Hands.

8) Weirdness; A’s are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their first season in Oakland this year, while the Royals are celebrating their 50th season in Kansas City this year.

A’s started playing in Oakland in ’68, after leaving Kansas City. Royals started play when divisional play started, in ’69.

7) Miami Marlins drew 6,150 fans for a home game with the Mets Wednesday; their AA team in Jacksonville drew 6,960 fans that same night for their Southern League home opener vs Mobile.

6) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be on Dancing With the Stars this fall; he could’ve made a freakin’ fortune in endorsements during/after his career, but he is very quiet and never showed much personality so once he stopped playing ball, he kind of disappeared.

Kareem will by 71 on Monday; good to see him enjoying himself now. I’ve said this before here and I firmly believe it— he was the most dominant basketball player ever.

5) Masters champ Patrick Reed sat behind the plate as the Astros game Saturday wearing his green jacket; he was also at a Rockets’ game and went to the drive-thru window at Chick-fil-A wearing the jacket. At what point does he hang the jacket in his closet and go back to playing golf?

4) Cubs 14, Braves 10— Atlanta led this game 10-2 in 6th inning on a hideous, cold, rainy day in Wrigley Field. Braves’ bullpen got 8 outs, allowed 11 runs.

This game shouldn’t have been played; the weather was awful.

3) Golfer Kelly Kraft missed the cut by a stroke at Hilton Head this week, in large part because his tee shot on the par-3 14th hole hit a bird and fell into the water— he double-bogeyed the hole. Because the bird is not a man-made object, Kraft had to play the ball where it lied, or take a penalty; had he hit an airplane, apparently he would get relief. Go figure.

2) Former Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops and legendary Arizona hoop coach Lute Olson recently had statues of themselves put up on the schools’ campuses.

1— In 1997, Barry Levinson wrote a movie called Wag the Dog, where just before a Presidential election, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer got together to fabricate a war in order to cover up the President’s sex scandal. Sound familiar?

HBO and Levinson are in the process now of creating a Wag the Dog comedy series, but the idea just isn’t funny anymore.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-15-2018, 02:31 AM

SUNDAY'S GAMES

Bucks vs Celtics (0-0)

Milwaukee lost its last seven first round series; their last series win was in 2001. Bucks fired their coach during the season. Milwaukee split its last six games with Boston; they’re 5-3 in last eight games overall, 4-1 vs spread in last five road games. Over is 7-2-1 in last ten series games. Celtics are without Hayward/Irving; they lost four of last six games, but covered three of their last four home games. Six of last seven Celtic games, 8 of last 10 Buck games went over the total. Boston is in playoffs for 10th time in last 11 years; they lost three of last four first round series.

Pacers vs Cavaliers (0-0)

Indiana won/covered three of last four games with Cleveland, splitting pair here; under is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Pacers are in playoffs for 7th time in last eight years; they lost in first round last two years. Indiana won seven of its last 10 games, covered four of last six road games. Over is 5-5 in their last ten games. Cavaliers won six of last eight games, are 3-2 vs spread in last five home games. Three of their last four games went over total. Cleveland was in Finals the last three years; they won their last six first round series.

Jazz vs Thunder (0-0)

 Utah is in playoffs for 2nd year in row, after missing them five of previous six years; Jazz won four of last six first round series. Utah lost six of last seven games with Oklahoma City (2-5 vs spread); they’re 2-4 vs spread in last six games in this arena. Last four series games stayed under the total. Jazz won six of their last seven games; they’re 3-3 vs spread in last six road games. OKC won its last three games; under is 8-2 in their last 10 games. Thunder is 0-4-1 vs spread in last five home games; they’re in playoffs eight time in last nine years, and won five of last six first round series.

Timberwolves vs Rockets (0-0)

Minnesota is in playoffs for first time in 14 years; Houston is in playoffs for 6th year in row; they are 2-3 in last five first round series. Rockets won more games this year than in two years when they won NBA title in 90’s. Houston won its last six games with Minnesota, covering last four; Wolves are 3-2 vs spread in last five games in this building. Over is 7-3 in last ten series games. Minnesota beat Denver in OT Wednesday just to make playoffs; they won five of last seven games, covered last four. Rockets split their last six games, are 1-6 vs spread in last seven, as they coasted at end to get to this point.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-15-2018, 02:32 AM

Sunday's Early Tips
April 14, 2018

First Round Series Odds

Eastern Conference First Round
No. 7 Milwaukee at No. 2 Boston (TNT, 1:05 p.m. ET)

2017-18 Regular Season (Tied 2-2)
Apr. 3 Bucks (-4.5) vs. Celtics 106-102 (Over 204)
Dec. 4 Celtics (-4.5) vs. Bucks 111-100 (Over 203)
Oct. 26 Celtics (+4.5) at Bucks 96-89 (Under 207)
Oct. 18 Bucks (+1.5) at Celtics 108-100 (Over 203.5)

The expectations were sky-high for the Celtics (55-27 SU, 50-30-2 ATS) entering this season with the acquisitions of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. However, Boston will not have either player in the postseason as the Celtics will have a tough road trying to duplicate last season’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Hayward suffered a devastating leg injury in the first five minutes of the season at Cleveland, as the forward won’t return until next season. Irving put together terrific numbers (24.4 points per game, 5.1 assists per game) in 60 games, but has been sidelined since March 11 with a left knee injury. The former Cavaliers’ standout will also be on the shelf for the playoffs, as the Celtics will have to depend on many of their young guys to pick up the slack.

Among those players, rookie Jayson Tatum played in 80 games this season and produced the third-highest scoring average on the Celtics with 13.9 ppg, while second-year guard Jaylen Brown more than doubled his scoring output by posting 14.5 ppg. Former Louisville guard Terry Rozier blossomed in his third season with Boston by scoring 11.3 ppg off the bench, while participating in 80 contests.

The Bucks (44-38 SU, 34-43-5 ATS) also were a team that were predicted to make strides in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland. However, the team fired head coach Jason Kidd on January 22 after going 23-22 through 45 games. Milwaukee finished 21-16 under interim coach Joe Prunty and six games back of Cleveland for the top spot in the Central division.

The face of the franchise, Giannis Antetokounmpo set career highs in points per game (26.9) and rebounds per game (10.0), while averaging a double-double for a whole season for the first time in his five-year career. Small forward Khris Middleton rebounded from a 29-game campaign in 2016-17 to play in all 82 games this season and put together a career-best 20.1 ppg. Eric Bledsoe helped solidify the backcourt after the Suns traded the disgruntled guard to the Bucks in November as he averaged 17.8 ppg.

These two teams split their four meetings this season as three of the matchups came before New Year’s Day. Milwaukee caught Boston with no rest after losing Hayward in the season opening defeat at Cleveland, as the Bucks went into TD Garden on October 18 and grabbed a 108-100 victory as 1 ½-point underdogs. The Bucks outscored the Celtics, 32-20 in the final quarter as Antetokounmpo torched Boston for 37 points and 13 rebounds.

The Celtics picked up quick revenge eight days later in Milwaukee at the old MECCA on the campus of UW-Milwaukee. Al Horford scored 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting, while Irving put up 24 points in a 96-89 victory for Boston. Bledsoe didn’t play in the first two matchups for the Bucks, while the Celtics were limited to 42% shooting from the floor in those first two contests.

Boston knocked off Milwaukee in early December at TD Garden, 111-100 as 4 ½-point favorites. The Celtics’ offense finally busted out against the Bucks by hitting 55% of its shots, while Irving posted 32 points in the win. Antetokounmpo scored 40 points in the loss for Milwaukee, who suffered its only loss in a seven-game stretch from November 28 through December 9.

Milwaukee evened the season series in early April, 106-102 as 4 ½-point home favorites. Bledsoe scored 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the floor, while Antetokounmpo posted another double-double against the Celtics with 29 points and 11 rebounds. Three of the four matchups sailed OVER the total, including both meetings at TD Garden.

The Bucks closed the season on a 15-2 run to the OVER, including five consecutive OVERS on the highway. Milwaukee lost six of its final nine games in the role of a road underdog, but two of those wins came at Golden State and Toronto. Boston finished off March with six straight wins, but stumbled in April by going 2-4 SU and 3-3 ATS, while hitting the OVER five times.

The Celtics and Bucks are meeting in the playoffs for the first time since 1987, while Milwaukee is looking to advance past the opening round for the first time since 2001.

Eastern Conference First Round
No. 5 Indiana at No. 4 Cleveland (ABC, 3:35 p.m. ET)

2017-18 Regular Season (Pacers 3-1)
Jan. 26 Cavaliers (-6) vs. Pacers 115-108 (Push 223)
Jan. 12 Pacers (+1.5) vs. Cavaliers 97-95 (Under 221)
Dec. 8 Pacers (+3.5) vs. Cavaliers 106-102 (Under 221.5)
Nov. 1 Pacers (+10)vs. Cavaliers 124-107 (Over 217.5)

One of the most remarkable feats in sports is how LeBron James has managed to make the NBA Finals for seven consecutive seasons. That means in four seasons with the Heat and three with the Cavaliers, James’ teams have never lost a playoff series to an Eastern Conference team, going 21-0 in those series.

Last season, the Cavaliers pulled off a four-game sweep in the opening round of the playoffs against the Pacers. It was the third straight season Cleveland needed only four games in the first round to advance, but the Pacers gave the Cavs all they can handle as all four contests were decided by six points or less. In Game 3 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Cavaliers erased a 26-point deficit to shock Indiana, 119-114 as James put together a triple-double (41 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists) to end any hopes of the Pacers creeping back in the series.

Fast-forward to this season where the Cavaliers (50-32 SU, 32-49-1 ATS) blew up their roster at the All-Star break as guard Isaiah Thomas was sent to the Lakers, while Dwyane Wade, Jae Crowder, and Iman Shumpert were also sent elsewhere. The new nucleus of Rodney Hood, Larry Nance, Jr., and Jordan Clarkson to go along with James and Kevin Love compiled a 20-12 record in the final 32 games to overtake Indiana for the Central division crowd.

The Pacers (48-34 SU, 47-35 ATS) exceeded expectations as this team opened the season with a win total of 30 ½. Paul George’s seven-year tenure with Indiana ended last summer after the All-Star forward was dealt to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Oladipo, whose NBA career never lived up its potential after a successful college career at University of Indiana, exploded for 23.1 ppg and shot a career-best 37% from three-point range.

Indiana captured three of four meetings from Cleveland this season, including a pair of wins in Indianapolis. However, the Pacers shocked the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena in their first matchup on November 1 as 10-point underdogs, 124-107. Indiana knocked down 16 three-pointers in the victory, while the backcourt duo of Oladipo and Darren Collison combined to score 48 points. James paced the Cavs with 33 points and 11 assists, but Cleveland was limited to 7-of-31 shooting from three-point range.

In the next contest in early December at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Pacers limited the Cavaliers to 39 second half points in a 106-102 triumph. Oladipo led Indiana with 33 points, while Indiana drilled 15 treys in the victory. The Pacers erased a 22-point first quarter deficit in the following meeting in January to shock Cleveland, 97-95. The Cavs struggled again from long distance by going 7-of-34 from three-point range, including a 2-for-9 effort from James.

Cleveland avoided the sweep by beating Indiana, 115-108 to barely cash as six-point favorites. James posted a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, but also committed 11 turnovers. The Cavaliers owned the worst ATS home record in the league at 13-27-1 ATS, but 14 of those non-covers came against non-playoff teams.

In the last three first round series openers, Cleveland has cashed the OVER each time, while going 1-2 ATS in those games. The Pacers have been a solid road team to back in the playoffs since 2016 by cashing in five of the last six opportunities, including in both visits to Cleveland in last season’s first round.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-15-2018, 02:35 AM

Box out: LeBron has knack for first-round playoff knockouts
April 14, 2018

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) LeBron James has mastered the first-round knockout.

Better protect those chins, Pacers.

One of the most dominant postseason players in NBA history, James is undefeated in Game 1 of any opening series, a perfect 12-0 since making his playoff debut with the Cavaliers back in 2006.

James is a ridiculous 48-7 overall in the first round with seven sweeps, and his teams in Miami and Cleveland have ripped off 21 consecutive opening-round victories, a winning streak that stretches to 2012 in his second season with the Heat. Since rejoining the Cavs in 2015, he's 12-0 in Round 1.

Facing him means an early exit.

But while all those overbearing facts would seem to give Cleveland a huge advantage against Indiana in a best-of-seven Eastern Conference series that starts Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena, James isn't taking the Pacers lightly. They beat the Cavs three times during the regular season and guard Victor Oladipo and Co. have enough talent to maybe upset the No. 4 seed.

''It's going to be a very good matchup,'' James said Saturday. ''It's 4-5 for a reason. Both teams played good ball at times throughout the regular season. Obviously their season, from the outside looking in, was more productive than ours because of what they went through in the offseason. But we went through a lot in the offseason as well. It's a good matchup and we look forward to the challenge.''

Following a regular season that went up, down and sideways for the Cavs, the postseason has finally arrived. It's when James shines most.

The 33-year-old is aiming to make his eighth straight Finals, a feat only accomplished by a handful of Boston Celtics in the 1960s. The three-time champ is coming off perhaps his finest regular season, and there's no reason to think he won't be at his best in April, May and probably June.

''LeBron is a freak of his own,'' said Oladipo, who has blossomed in his first year with Indiana. ''He's the best player in the world. You could give it (the MVP award) to him every year, but it wouldn't be fair to everyone else.''

James wasn't fair to the Pacers in last year's playoffs. He averaged 32 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two blocks as Cleveland swept Indiana en route to a third straight conference crown.

It's hard to imagine it being that easy this year as the Pacers are a more well-balanced squad. In Oladipo they have a player capable of taking over a game, but James knows the ropes better than anyone this time of year.

''He definitely understands that, going to The Finals, that the quicker you can get a series over and get some rest is the best way to do it,'' Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. ''So our guys have to understand that we're going to see the best (team) at their best.''

His teammates and opponents may change from year to year in the postseason. James stays the same.

''My responsibility has been the same for quite a while now,'' he said. ''Go out and try to dominate.''

SECOND OPTION

For the first time in four years, James won't have Kyrie Irving by his side in the playoffs. With Irving gone, Kevin Love has become Cleveland's second-most important player.

Although the Cavs aren't the slam-dunk favorite as they've been in the past to win the East, Love is as confident as ever.

''I always feel like when we take the floor we're going to win every game,'' he said. ''I feel like we're a really tough out. We're going to be a tough team to beat in four games and we have the best player in the world and a lot of guys that are hungry to go out and prove what they can do.''

MYLES TO GO

Pacers big man Myles Turner struggled so badly down the stretch he asked McMillan to play him in the regular-season finale. It didn't help.

Turner's struggles continued as he went 1 of 8 from the field and finished with two points in 20 minutes. Turner is now 5 of 26 overall, 0 for 9 on 3-pointers. He had 11 rebounds in Indiana's last four games. He's grateful for a fresh start.

''They need me to come out and be the aggressive Myles, like I've done during a couple stretches this season,'' he said. ''I need to score points, rebound and block shots.''

REUNITED RIVALS

Lance Stephenson developed a reputation for getting under James' skin during the Pacers-Heat rivalry. He's still doing it.

Stephenson, perhaps best known for blowing in James' ear during the 2014 conference finals, baited James into a technical foul earlier this year. This time, though, Stephenson claims he has no plans to rankle King James.

''He's a tough player, he's always challenging me,'' Stephenson said. ''I think your mindset has to be to stop him and to want to win against him. Everybody in the league wants to beat him.''

**StarDust Bum** · 04-15-2018, 12:31 PM

Sunday's Late Tips
April 15, 2018

Western Conference First Round
No. 5 Utah at No. 4 Oklahoma City (TNT, 6:35 p.m. ET)

2017-18 Regular Season (Thunder 3-1)
Dec. 23 Thunder (+1.5) at Jazz 103-89 (Under 197.5)
Dec. 20 Thunder (-8) vs. Jazz 107-79 (Under 196.5)
Dec. 5 Thunder (-8) vs. Jazz 100-94 (Under 199)
Oct. 21 Jazz (+4) vs. Thunder 96-87 (Under 200)

-- As of early this morning, most betting shops had Oklahoma City (48-34 straight up, 34-47-1 against the spread) installed as a 3.5-point home favorite for tonight’s series opener vs. Utah. The total was 206 points and the Jazz were +145 on the money line (risk $100 to win $145).

-- These franchises haven’t met in the playoffs since 2000 when Utah defeated the Seattle Supersonics 3-2 in the opening round.

-- Billy Donovan’s club compiled a 27-14 SU record and a 16-24-1 ATS mark at home during the regular season.

-- OKC star guard Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double for the second straight season. The UCLA product averaged 25.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game. Westbrook also averaged 1.8 steals per game, but he commits 4.8 turnovers per contest. Paul George averaged 21.9 PPG during the regular season, shooting at a 40.1 percent clip from 3-point land. Carmelo Anthony, another star player acquired during the offseason, averaged 16.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

-- OKC veteran center Steven Adams (13.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG) made 62.9 percent of his field-goal attempts during the regular season, but he’s a liability at the free-throw line (55.7%). Adams is one of The Association’s best offensive rebounders, pulling down 5.1 per game.

-- After the veteran swingman was released by the Lakers back in early March, Corey Brewer reunited with Donovan, his head coach in college at Florida when the Gators won back-to-back national titles. Turns out, the 32-year-old from Portland, Tenn., does have some gas left in the tank. In 18 games with the Thunder, Brewer has averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.3 APG. However, Brewer is listed as ‘questionable’ tonight vs. Utah due to a knee injury.

-- Oklahoma City limped to a 3-6-1 spread record in its last 10 regular-season games.

-- Utah (48-34 SU, 43-39 ATS) closed the regular season on an incredible 29-6 run in its last 35 games. The catalyst in the late-season surge has been rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell, who set an NBA record for first-year players with 187 makes from 3-point range. Since entering the starting lineup in November, Mitchell has averaged 21.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

-- Utah’s Joe Ingles finished fourth in the NBA in 3-point accuracy by burying 44.0 percent of his attempts. He was 10th in total treys made with a franchise record 204 makes. Ingles joined James Harden, Damian Lillard and Kyle Lowry as the league’s only four players to tally 200 3-pointers, 300 assists and 300 rebounds.

-- Utah veteran point guard Ricky Rubio (13.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG) is set to make the first postseason appearance of his career. He led the Jazz in assists (5.3 APG) and steals (1.6 SPG). Rudy Gobert (13.5 PPG, 10.7 RPG) averages team-highs in FG percentage (62.2%) and blocked shots (2.3 BPG), while Derrick Favors (12.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG) converted 56.3 percent of his FGAs and averaged 1.1 blocked shots per game.

-- Utah is 20-21 SU and 21-20 ATS on the road.

-- Utah is ranked second in the NBA in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 99.8 PPG. The Jazz are sixth in FG percentage ‘D’ (44.9%).

-- All four regular-season meetings between these teams came before Christmas. OKC won the season series 3-1, but that was before the Jazz’s furious finish. The ‘under’ cashed in all four encounters. The first meeting took place in Salt Lake City on Oct. 21 when Utah captured a 96-87 win as a 3.5-point home underdog. Ingles led five players in double figures with 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting from downtown. Rubio produced 16 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Gobert finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Anthony had a game-high 26 points and George contributed 22 points, five boards and five steals. Westbrook had one of his worst performances of the year with more turnovers (seven) than points (six). Westbrook had 13 rebounds and nine assists, but he was only 2-of-11 from the field.

-- OKC beat Utah by a 100-94 count but failed to cover the number as an eight-point home favorite on Dec. 5. The 194 combined points ‘under’ the 198.5-point tally. The Thunder trailed by seven at intermission and 11 going into the final stanza, but they outscored the Jazz 32-14 in the fourth quarter. Westbrook stole the show with 34 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds. George added 21 points and Adams finished with 20 points and nine boards. Mitchell had 31 points, five steals and four assists in the losing effort.

-- Oklahoma City destroyed Utah 107-79 as an eight-point home ‘chalk’ on Dec. 20. The Thunder raced out to a 25-9 lead to end the first quarter and coasted to victory. Westbrook had 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists compared to merely one turnover. George and Anthony added 18 points apiece.

-- Three days later on Dec. 23, OKC captured a 103-89 win at Utah as a 1.5-point road underdog. Westbrook led the way with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while George tallied 26 points, six steals, five rebounds and two blocked shots. Mitchell had a team-best 29 points in defeat.

-- Sportsbook.ag has OKC as the -135 favorite to win the series, leaving the Jazz at +115 on the comeback.

-- The ‘under’ finished the regular season on an 8-2 run for OKC. The Thunder has seen the ‘under’ go 46-36 overall, 23-18 in its home outings.

-- The ‘over’ went 8-3 in Utah’s last 11 games despite back-to-back ‘unders’ to close the regular season. The Jazz have watched the ‘under’ go 42-39-1 overall, but the ‘over’ cashed at a 23-17-1 clip in its road assignments.

Western Conference First Round
No. 8 Minnesota at No. 1 Houston (TNT, 9:05 p.m. ET)

2017-18 Regular Season (Rockets 4-0)
Mar. 18 Rockets (-7) at Timberwolves 129-120 (Over 222.5)
Feb. 23 Rockets (-7.5) vs. Timberwolves 120-102 (Under 223)
Feb. 12 Rockets (-3.5) at Timberwolves 126-108 (Over 224)
Jan. 18 Rockets (-5.5)vs. Timberwolves 116-98 (Under 225)

-- As of early this morning, most spots had Houston (65-17 SU, 41-40 ATS) listed as an 11-point favorite with a total of 216.5. The Timberwolves were +700 on the money line (risk $100 to win $700).

-- Sportsbook.ag has the Rockets as enormous -3500 favorites to advance to the West semifinals. The T-wolves are +1500 underdogs to pull the upset over the conference’s No. 1 seed (risk $100 to win $1,500). The offshore shop also has adjusted line for the series opener. If you’re really bullish on Houston, you can take it -17.5 points for a +200 payout. On the flip side, the T-wolves have +220 odds as 5.5-point underdogs.

-- Mike D’Antoni’s squad went 34-7 SU and 17-23-1 ATS at home this year.

-- Houston limped to a 9-17 spread record in 26 games as double-digit ‘chalk’ during the regular season.

-- Although it had the top seed in the West wrapped up and wasn’t motivated to play at full tilt, we’ll nonetheless note how Houston finished the year without covering in four straight games and six of their last seven.

-- Houston is dealing with a couple of key injuries. Ryan Anderson, who averages 9.3 points and 5.0 RPG while shooting at 38.6 percent clip from long distance, is ‘doubtful’ with an ankle injury. Luc Mbah a Moute, one of the team’s premier defenders, is ‘out’ for Game 1 with a shoulder injury and isn’t expected to be available for the entire series. Mbah a Moute averages 7.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 SPG.

-- Houston star guard James Harden appears to be in a two-man race with LeBron James for The Association’s MVP honors. Harden averaged 30.4 points, 8.8 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 SPG in 72 regular-season contests. Chris Paul averaged 18.6 points, 7.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 58 games played. Eric Gordon (18.0 PPG) is the Rockets’ third-leading scorer, while Clint Capela (13.9 PPG) paces the club in FG percentage (65.2%), rebounding (10.8 RPG) and blocked shots (1.9 BPG).

-- Minnesota (47-35 SU, 37-42-3 ATS) had to win each of its last three regular-season games to lock up the franchise’s first playoff berth since Kevin Garnett led it to the 2004 Western Conference finals. The T-wolves beat out Denver for the eighth seed thanks to a 112-106 win over the Nuggets in overtime as 3.5-point home favorites in the regular-season finale. The extra session allowed for the 218 combined points to slip ‘over’ the 216.5-point total. Jimmy Butler led the way with 31 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 26 points and 14 boards. Andrew Wiggins had 18 points and Jeff Teague tallied 17 points and seven assists compared to only one turnover.

-- Butler averages 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.0 SPG. Towns led the NBA in double-doubles with 68. The seven-foot center who is in his third season out of Kentucky is averaging 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per contest. Wiggins (17.7 PPG), Teague (14.2 PPG, 7.0 APG), Taj Gibson (12.2 PPG) and Jamal Crawford (10.3 PPG) are also averaging in double figures.

-- Minnesota is 17-24 SU and 17-23-1 ATS on the road.

-- Minnesota failed to cover the spread in its only double-digit underdog role of the season. In fact, the T-wolves went 0-6 ATS when listed as ‘dogs of seven points or more.

-- Houston won all four regular-season meetings over Minnesota both SU and ATS. Totals were a split (2-2), but the ‘under’ cashed in both games played at Houston. The Rockets won 116-98 and 120-102 in a pair of games played at home. They won by scores of 126-108 and 129-120 at Minnesota.

-- The ‘under’ has been a money maker in Houston games all season, cashing tickets at a 48-33-1 overall clip. The Rockets saw the ‘under’ go 22-19 in their home games. They finished the regular season with four consecutive ‘unders’ and seven in their last eight contests.

-- The ‘over’ is 45-36-1 overall for the T-wolves, 21-20 in their road assignments.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-15-2018, 12:32 PM

Sunday's NBA Playoffs betting preview and odds

The four remaining first round series of the NBA Playoffs tip off on Sunday, which includes the beginning of Lebron's quest to advance to the Finals for an eighth consecutive year when he and the Cavs host the Pacers.

Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics (-4, 201.5)

The Boston Celtics endured a regular season filled with injuries and were barely above .500 over the final three months. The second-seeded Celtics hope to turn the page from some trying times when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday in Game 1 of a best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (44-38, 34-43-5 ATS, 46-35-1 O/U): Milwaukee is in the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 2003 and 2004 and is looking to snap a string of seven straight first-round exits, including a six-game setback against Toronto last spring. "We're a better team than last year, more mature," Antetokounmpo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We're older and hopefully we can be focused as a team because I think that's what sometimes lacks on our team. There's some stages of the game that we're not focused. I don't know why that comes to our team, but hopefully this year when we get to the playoffs we can be focused for 48 minutes and do what we got to do and that's getting the job done." The Bucks did not have Jabari Parker in the playoffs last year due to an ACL tear but the 23-year-old forward is all the way back from the injury and averaged 19.5 points in April.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (55-27, 50-30-2 ATS, 43-38-1 O/U): With no Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart, Boston will lean heavily on second-year guard Jaylen Brown and rookie Jayson Tatum for scoring, while Terry Rozier - who took over at point guard when Irving was lost for the season - will be trying to prove he can run the show in a more pressure-packed environment. "It sucks to see your brothers go down ... but, like I said, it's not over," Rozier told reporters. "It's not going to be an easy road for our opponents. They still have to go through us. We're ready." Reserve center Greg Monroe, who spent two-plus seasons with the Bucks before being traded to Phoenix in November, has become a key contributor and averaged 13.5 points on 63.3 percent shooting and 7.7 rebounds in April.

SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Celtics opened Game 1 as 3.5-point home favorites and have been bet up slightly to the current number of -4. The total has seen considerably more movement dropping 3.5-points from 205 to 201.5. Despite the downward movement, the Over is getting 52 percent of wagers according to our Covers Consensu. Bettors are giving the edge to the home-side Celtics here, with them seeing 55 percent of wagers. Check out the complete line history here.

INJURY REPORT:

Bucks - No injuries to report.

Celtics - PG T. Rozier (Probable, finger), PG M. Smart (Out, thumb), PG K. Irving (Out, knee), PF D. Theis (Out, knee), SF G. Hayward (Out, ankle).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.
* Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games.
* Over is 9-1 in Bucks last 10 vs. Eastern Conference opponents.
* Over is 4-0 in Celtics last four overall.
* Over is 8-1-1 in the last 10 meetings in Boston.

Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers (-6.5, 212.5)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are hitting the playoffs and trying to earn their fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals but will be doing it from an unfamiliar position - fourth place. The Cavaliers will have homecourt advantage in the first round as they try to carry the momentum from a strong finish in the regular season into Game 1 against the visiting No. 5 seed Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

ABOUT THE PACERS (48-34, 47-35 ATS, 32-49-1 O/U): Indiana was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Cavaliers last spring but is a different team this time around thanks to the presence of Oladipo, who was acquired last summer in the deal that sent Paul George to Oklahoma City. Oladipo led the team in scoring at an average of 23.1 points and is part of a roster that enjoys being around one another. "Great group of guys, man," point guard Darren Collison - another new addition this season - told the team's website. "Everybody is great people. It's one thing to have great players, but I've been on a lot of teams. When you play with great people, it makes everybody's job easier. Everybody's listening. Nobody has egos. You come in the locker room and everybody's smiling. It's positivity. We trust each other."

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (50-32, 32-49-1 ATS, 39-41-2 O/U): Cleveland's advantage over every other team in the East is the presence of superstar forward LeBron James, who played in all 82 regular-season games for the first time in his career. James, 33, averaged career highs in rebounds (8.6) and assists (9.1) while adding 27.5 points on 54.2 percent shooting. "Has it been my best year? It's the best I've felt all season and I've got the numbers to back it up and I've got the wins to back it up as well," James told reporters. "Me, personally, I've just tried to be available to my teammates every single night and do everything that I could to win ball games. Either by scoring, by rebounding, by defending, by assisting, taking charges, whatever the case may be. Statistically it all speaks for itself."

SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Cavaliers hit the board as 6.5-point favorites and while the number touched seven at a few places, the line mostly remains unmoved. This is yet another game where the total is seeing more action. After hitting the board at 216.5, the total has dropped 4-points to the current number of 212.5. Just like in the Bucks-Celtics game, this total is seeing reverse line movement, with 58 percent of wagers on the Over according to our Covers Consensus. The side is almost split down the middle with Indiana seeing 51 percent of wagers.

INJURY REPORT:

Pacers - SG V. Oladipo (Probable, foot).

Cavaliers - C T. Thompson (Probable, personal), SG R. Hood (Probable, achilles), SG K. Korver (Questionable, foot).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Pacers are 6-1 ATS in their last sevne games vs. a team with a winning SU record.
* Cavaliers are 0-4 ATS in their last four games playing on three or more days rest.
* Under is 7-1 in Pacers last eight games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Under is 5-1 in Cavaliers last six home games.
* Pacers are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Cleveland.

Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder (-3.5, 206)

The Utah Jazz were one of the hottest teams in the NBA over the final two-plus months of the regular season and they'll try to carry that momentum into the playoffs, which begins with a visit to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 1 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series on Sunday. The Jazz were 19-28 after a loss at Atlanta on Jan. 22 but stormed back with a 29-6 mark down the stretch to seize the fifth seed in the West.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (48-34, 43-39 ATS, 39-42-1 O/U): Utah's turnaround roughly coincided with Gobert's return from a knee injury and he was dominant at times during the stretch run, averaging 16.6 points on 68.2 percent shooting to go along with 12.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in March. "As a competitor, it's always hard to watch from the sideline," he told the Tribune. "But watching them every night really gave me the motivation. When I came back, I really felt like we could do something special." Mitchell averaged 20.5 points in his first season and did not show any signs of hitting a rookie wall by scoring above his average in 12 of the final 14 games of the regular season.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (48-34, 34-47-1 ATS, 36-46 O/U): Following a first-round exit last season during Russell Westbrook's MVP campaign, Oklahoma City brought in forwards Paul George and Carmelo Anthony for support, and while it took time to develop, a strong finish has the team feeling pretty good entering the postseason. "This is part of kind of why we wanted to all come together, because we saw an opportunity," Anthony told reporters. "This is actually a part of the big picture. This is the journey; to be able to accomplish what we came together to accomplish." While Westbrook rallied late to produce his historic triple-double average, George heated up offensively down the stretch while averaging 27.6 points and shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range in April.

SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Thunder opened this matchup as 3.5-point home faves and were briefly bet to -3 before returning to the opening number. The total opened at 205 and is up slightly to 206. Despite little movement, bettors are giving the edge to the Thunder here, with 57 percent of wagers backing them, according to our Covers Consensus. The total has been bet evenly with the Over seeing 52 percent of wagers.

INJURY REPORT:

Jazz - SF T. Sefolosha (Out, knee).

Thunder - SG C. Brewer (Probable, knee), SG A. Abrines (Questionable, concussion), A. Roberson (Out, knee).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Jazz are 12-2 ATS in their last 14 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Thunder are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
* Over is 6-1 in Jazz last seven road games.
* Under is 8-2 in Thunder last 10 overall.
* Under is 21-7 in the last 28 meetings.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets (-11.5, 216.5)

The Minnesota Timberwolves needed to scratch their way to an overtime victory on the final day of the regular season to clinch a playoff spot - the franchise's first since Kevin Garnett led the team to the 2004 Western Conference finals. The Timberwolves' reward for that strong finish is a date with the NBA-best Houston Rockets, who host Game 1 of the first-round series on Sunday.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (47-35, 37-42-3 ATS, 45-36-1 O/U): Minnesota hovered around the third or fourth spot in the West for much of the season before falling off when Butler went down with a knee injury. Butler's return sparked the team down the stretch, and the No. 8 seed and a date with the Rockets is not about to intimidate the Timberwolves. "We’re a talented group, we got a lot of talent on this team,” point guard Jeff Teague, whose Atlanta squad took top-seeded Indiana to seven games in the 2014 postseason, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "In the playoffs, you need someone who can make shots and take over games at times. I think we have a lot of people on this team who can take over games and have moments. It’s all about having fun now. There’s no pressure on us. We got in, eighth seed. I’ve been there and it’s a lot of fun. When you're the eighth seed, I promise you it’s a lot of fun."

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (65-17, 41-40-1 ATS, 33-48-1 O/U): Houston, which set a franchise record with 65 wins, is led by superstar guard James Harden, who is the odds-on favorite to win his first MVP award this season after leading the league in scoring at an average of 30.4 points and adding 8.8 assists. The difference for the team this time around in the playoffs is that Harden has another future Hall of Famer in the backcourt with the addition of point guard Chris Paul, who is in awe of his teammate. "You just never get this opportunity too often in your career to play with somebody like James," Paul told reporters. "You get a chance to appreciate greatness. What he's doing on a nightly basis and stuff like that, it's crazy, and I'm grateful that I get the opportunity to play alongside him."

SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Rockets opened this matchup as 9.5-point home favorites, but bettors did't think that was enough, moving the line all the way to -11.5. The total meanwhile, has dropped two points to sit at the current number of 216.5. Even with the line moving in the Rockets favor, 53 percent of wagers are on teh T-wolves according to our Covers Consensus, while the total has also seen reverse line movement as a big 68 percent of wagers are on the Over.

INJURY REPORT:

Timberwolves - C J. Patton (Questionable, illness).

Rockets - SG E. gordon (Probable, ankle), PF R. Anderson (Questionable, ankle), C C. Capela (Questionable, hand), PF L. Mbah a Moute (Out, shoulder).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Timberwolves are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.
* Rockets are 0-6 ATS in their last six vs. Western Conference opponents.
* Over is 11-3 in Timberwolves last 14 vs. a team with a winning SU record.
* Under is 8-2 in Rockets last 10 home games.
* Over is 14-3 in the last 17 meetings.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-15-2018, 12:33 PM

NBA
Dunkel

Sunday, April 15

Milwaukee @ Boston

Game 509-510
April 15, 2018 @ 1:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
115.801
Boston
121.980
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 6 1/2
219
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 3 1/2
203
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-3 1/2); Over

Indiana @ Cleveland

Game 511-512
April 15, 2018 @ 3:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
116.416
Cleveland
125.623
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 9
224
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 6 1/2
216 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-6 1/2); Over

Utah @ Oklahoma City

Game 513-514
April 15, 2018 @ 6:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
127.420
Oklahoma City
124.041
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 3 1/2
206
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 4
205
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(+4); Over

Minnesota @ Houston

Game 515-516
April 15, 2018 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
115.677
Houston
124.784
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 9
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 11 1/2
217
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+11 1/2); Under

NBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, April 15

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

MILWAUKEE (44 - 38) at BOSTON (55 - 27) - 4/15/2018, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 74-91 ATS (-26.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 376-456 ATS (-125.6 Units) in the second half of the season since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 201-247 ATS (-70.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 48-30 ATS (+15.0 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) off an upset win as an underdog this season.
BOSTON is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 27-15 ATS (+10.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 135-98 ATS (+27.2 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games after allowing 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 7-4 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-4 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA (48 - 34) at CLEVELAND (50 - 32) - 4/15/2018, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 47-35 ATS (+8.5 Units) in all games this season.
INDIANA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) on Sunday games this season.
INDIANA is 33-18 ATS (+13.2 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 74-51 ATS (+17.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
CLEVELAND is 32-49 ATS (-21.9 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 19-43 ATS (-28.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 20-34 ATS (-17.4 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 11-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 11-5 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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UTAH (48 - 34) at OKLAHOMA CITY (48 - 34) - 4/15/2018, 6:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 33-47 ATS (-18.7 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 24-41 ATS (-21.1 Units) as a favorite this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 15-24 ATS (-11.4 Units) in home games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) in home games in April games since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 16-25 ATS (-11.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-4 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-2 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MINNESOTA (47 - 35) at HOUSTON (65 - 17) - 4/15/2018, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 372-436 ATS (-107.6 Units) in the second half of the season since 1996.
HOUSTON is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) against Northwest division opponents this season.
HOUSTON is 118-88 ATS (+21.2 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders since 1996.
HOUSTON is 37-50 ATS (-18.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.

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

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, April 15

Bucks vs Celtics (0-0)
Milwaukee lost its last seven first round series; their last series win was in 2001. Bucks fired their coach during the season. Milwaukee split its last six games with Boston; they’re 5-3 in last eight games overall, 4-1 vs spread in last five road games. Over is 7-2-1 in last ten series games. Celtics are without Hayward/Irving; they lost four of last six games, but covered three of their last four home games. Six of last seven Celtic games, 8 of last 10 Buck games went over the total. Boston is in playoffs for 10th time in last 11 years; they lost three of last four first round series.

Pacers vs Cavaliers (0-0)
Indiana won/covered three of last four games with Cleveland, splitting pair here; under is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Pacers are in playoffs for 7th time in last eight years; they lost in first round last two years. Indiana won seven of its last 10 games, covered four of last six road games. Over is 5-5 in their last ten games. Cavaliers won six of last eight games, are 3-2 vs spread in last five home games. Three of their last four games went over total. Cleveland was in Finals the last three years; they won their last six first round series.

Jazz vs Thunder (0-0)
 Utah is in playoffs for 2nd year in row, after missing them five of previous six years; Jazz won four of last six first round series. Utah lost six of last seven games with Oklahoma City (2-5 vs spread); they’re 2-4 vs spread in last six games in this arena. Last four series games stayed under the total. Jazz won six of their last seven games; they’re 3-3 vs spread in last six road games. OKC won its last three games; under is 8-2 in their last 10 games. Thunder is 0-4-1 vs spread in last five home games; they’re in playoffs eight time in last nine years, and won five of last six first round series.

Timberwolves vs Rockets (0-0)
Minnesota is in playoffs for first time in 14 years; Houston is in playoffs for 6th year in row; they are 2-3 in last five first round series. Rockets won more games this year than in two years when they won NBA title in 90’s. Houston won its last six games with Minnesota, covering last four; Wolves are 3-2 vs spread in last five games in this building. Over is 7-3 in last ten series games. Minnesota beat Denver in OT Wednesday just to make playoffs; they won five of last seven games, covered last four. Rockets split their last six games, are 1-6 vs spread in last seven, as they coasted at end to get to this point.

Wizards-Raptors 
Tor 114-106, -7.5, O211

Heat-76ers 
Phil 130-103, -6.5, O212

Spurs-Warriors
 GState 113-92, -8, U209.5

Pelicans-Blazers 
NO 97-95, +5.5, U216.5

NBA

Sunday, April 15

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Trend Report
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Milwaukee Bucks
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Milwaukee's last 17 games
Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games on the road
Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Milwaukee is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 10 games when playing Boston
Milwaukee is 12-6 ATS in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Boston
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 10 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Celtics
Boston is 14-6 ATS in its last 20 games
Boston is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games at home
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Boston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 10 games when playing Milwaukee
Boston is 6-12 ATS in its last 18 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 10 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

Indiana Pacers
Indiana is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
Indiana is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Indiana's last 22 games
Indiana is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Indiana is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Indiana's last 23 games on the road
Indiana is 14-4-1 ATS in its last 19 games when playing Cleveland
Indiana is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Cleveland
Indiana is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Indiana is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games
Cleveland is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 9 games
Cleveland is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Cleveland is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home
Cleveland is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
Cleveland is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Indiana
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana
Cleveland is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana

Utah Jazz
Utah is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Utah is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Utah's last 11 games
Utah is 12-4-1 ATS in its last 17 games on the road
Utah is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Utah's last 7 games on the road
Utah is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
Utah is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Utah's last 16 games when playing Oklahoma City
Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Utah is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Utah's last 14 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games
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
Oklahoma City is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Oklahoma City is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 9 games at home
Oklahoma City is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Utah
Oklahoma City is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Oklahoma City's last 16 games when playing Utah
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Utah
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Oklahoma City's last 14 games when playing at home against Utah

Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Minnesota is 6-16 ATS in its last 22 games on the road
Minnesota is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Minnesota's last 17 games when playing Houston
Minnesota is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston Rockets
Houston is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
Houston is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 8 games
Houston is 20-1 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games at home
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Houston's last 17 games when playing Minnesota
Houston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Houston's last 9 games when playing at home against Minnesota

**StarDust Bum** · 04-15-2018, 12:36 PM

SUNDAY, APRIL 15
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIL at BOS 01:00 PM
MIL +3.5
U 200.5

IND at CLE 03:30 PM
IND +7.0
U 212.5

UTA at OKC 06:30 PM
OKC -4.0
O 205.0

MIN at HOU 09:00 PM
HOU -11.0
U 215.5

**StarDust Bum** · 04-16-2018, 01:32 AM

Oladipo scores 32 points, Pacers stun LeBron, Cavs
April 15, 2018

CLEVELAND (AP) Victor Oladipo scored 32 points and the Indiana Pacers held off Cleveland's second-half rally for a stunning 98-80 victory Sunday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference series, handing LeBron James and the Cavaliers' their first loss in the opening round in eight years.

Indiana was in control from the outset, opening a 21-point lead in the first quarter and leading by 23 in the third. The Cavs stormed back and got within seven, but Oladipo hit a big 3-pointer and Bojan Bogdanovic helped put Cleveland away with a 3 to make it 88-71.

The Pacers completely outplayed the three-time defending conference champions, whose turbulent regular season has carried over into the playoffs.

Game 2 is Wednesday night.

James scored 24 with 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his 20th career triple-double. But James got little help as Cleveland's four other starters - Kevin Love, Jeff Green, Rodney Hood and George Hill - combined for 25 points.

This is all new to James, who had won 21 consecutive first-round games and lost a postseason for the first time in his 13th playoffs. The 33-year-old is trying to get to his eighth straight Finals, and already the path is tougher than imagined.

Cleveland had won 14 straight first-round games, last losing on April 22, 2010, the last season of James' first stint with the Cavs. Indiana was swept by Cleveland in last year's opening round.

CELTICS 113, BUCKS 107, OT

BOSTON (AP) - Al Horford had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Boston overcame Khris Middleton's long 3 that beat the fourth-quarter buzzer to top Milwaukee in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference series.

The Celtics led 99-96 with 0.5 seconds left in regulation when Middleton took an inbounds pass on the far right wing and hit a contested 35-footer.

Terry Rozier added 23 points, four rebounds and three assists for Boston in his first career playoff start. Jaylen Brown finished with 20 points, and rookie Jayson Tatum added 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 35 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out in overtime. Middleton had 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Game 2 is Tuesday night in Boston.

ROCKETS 104, TIMBERWOLVES 101

HOUSTON (AP) - James Harden scored 44 points and powered a big fourth-quarter run that allowed Houston to outlast Minnesota in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.

Minnesota scored four straight points to get within 3 with about 30 seconds left. Chris Paul added two free throws after that for Houston, but a tip-in by Karl-Anthony Towns got Minnesota back within 3. After a bad pass by Paul gave Minnesota a chance to tie with 1.5 seconds left, Jimmy Butler's shot was short.

The top-seeded Rockets had their hands full with the No. 8 Timberwolves on a night where Houston made just 10 of 37 3-pointers. Harden made 7 of 12 3-pointers, but Trevor Ariza, P.J. Tucker, Eric Gordon and Paul combined to make just 3 of their 22 tries.

Houston kept All-Star big man Towns in check, limiting him to just eight points. Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points to lead Minnesota.

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Houston.

THUNDER 116, JAZZ 108

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Paul George scored 36 points to help Oklahoma City beat Utah in Game 1 of the Western Conference series.

George set an Oklahoma City playoff record with eight 3-pointers, blowing past the previous record of five. He made 8 of 11 shots from long range, and 13 of 20 shots overall. It was his first playoff game with the Thunder since being acquired in a trade with Indiana in the offseason.

Russell Westbrook had 29 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, and Carmelo Anthony added 15 points for the Thunder Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell had 27 points and 10 rebounds, but he left in the second half with left foot soreness. He returned in the fourth quarter but was noticeably hobbling.

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.

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

Harden scores 44 points, Rockets beat Wolves 104-101
April 15, 2018

HOUSTON (AP) James Harden scored 44 points and powered a big fourth-quarter run that allowed the Houston Rockets to outlast the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-101 on Sunday night in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.

Minnesota scored four straight points to get within 3 with about 30 seconds left. Chris Paul added two free throws after that for Houston, but a tip-in by Karl-Anthony Towns got Minnesota back within 3. After a bad pass by Paul gave the Timberwolves a chance to tie it with 1.5 seconds left, Jimmy Butler's shot was short.

The Timberwolves had a one-point lead with about seven minutes left when Houston used a 9-0 run, with the last seven points from Harden, to make it 94-86 with about four minutes to go. Harden, who also had a steal in that span, capped the run with a 3-pointer that prompted Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau to call a timeout.

Jeff Teague ended Minnesota's scoring drought with two free throws after the timeout and added a 3-point play after a basket by Harden. Harden made another shot to give him 11 straight points for Houston before another basket by Teague.

Harden got Capela in on the scoring after that, finding him for an alley-oop that pushed the lead to 101-93 with less than three minutes left.

The top-seeded Rockets had their hands full with the No. 8 Timberwolves on a night where Houston made just 10 of 37 3-pointers. Harden made 7 of 12 3-pointers, but Trevor Ariza, P.J. Tucker, Eric Gordon and Paul combined to make just 3 of their 22 tries.

Houston kept All-Star big man Towns in check, limiting him to just eight points after he'd averaged 21.3 in leading the Wolves to their first playoff appearance since 2014. Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points to lead Minnesota.

The Wolves scored the first nine points of the second half to take a 56-54 lead. Tucker made a 3 for the Rockets after that, but Minnesota used a 6-1 spurt, with 3s from Wiggins and Teague, to go back on top 62-58.

The Rockets had managed just six points in the quarter when Gerald Green made a basket with to cut the lead to 1 with about five minutes left in the third. Derrick Rose added a bucket seconds later, but Houston scored six straight points after that to put Houston up 68-65. Harden got things going when he made a 3-pointer while being fouled by Rose and also made the free throw.

Minnesota led by a basket after a jump shot by Towns with about two minutes left in the quarter. Harden took over after that, scoring the last six points of the quarter to leave Houston up 76-72 entering the fourth.

Harden hit a 3-pointer before making a driving layup he was fouled on by Gorgui Dieng. Harden flexed each bicep twice while peering down at the muscles after the shot before making the free throw.

The Rockets swept the regular-season series 4-0, winning by an average of 15.8 points a game and it looked like this one might be another blowout early as the Rockets raced out to a 17-6 lead behind 10 early points from Clint Capela. But the Timberwolves got going after that and had tied it up by late in the first quarter.

The Rockets led 54-47 at halftime.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: Butler, who led the team by averaging 22.2 points in the regular season, finished with 13 points. ... The Wolves made 8 of 23 3-point attempts. ... Towns had 12 rebounds and two assists.

Rockets: Ryan Anderson missed the game with a sprained left ankle. Coach Mike D'Antoni said there was a chance he could return for Game 2, but that he would know more in the next couple of days. ... Capela had 20 points and 10 rebounds at halftime, but was limited in the second half and added just four more points and two rebounds.

UP NEXT

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Houston.

Announcement

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

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