Announcement

**Udog** · 12-28-2017, 08:37 AM

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

— Butler 91, Georgetown 89 2OT— Bulldogs trailed by 20 in this game.

— Xavier 91, Marquette 87— Marquette was 15-38 on arc, 17-31 inside arc, and still lost.

— Eagles beat Oakland Monday nite, but gained only 37 total yards in second half.

— Detroit Pistons’ PG Reggie Jackson (grade 3 ankle sprain) is out 6-8 weeks.

— Purdue 38, Arizona 35— Best bowl game this season so far.

— Pelicans 128, Nets 113— Rajon Rondo is first NBA player with 25 assists in a game since Jason Kidd, in 1996

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

13) OK, so it is really cold in beautiful upstate New York this week, where I live. I’m in the grocery store Wednesday, buying some non-nutritional food items, and I see this guy walk in the store wearing a jacket and shorts. It is 15 freakin’ degrees out. This genius has shorts on.

Guy looked like he was in his mid-late 40’s. I had a parka on over a sweatshirt and I was still freezing. This guy had shorts on, not even gym shorts, the kind you wear in summer. Oy.

12) Duke 36, Northern Illinois 14— NIU tried the worst fake punt I’ve even seen- seriously.

4:32 left in first quarter, Duke leading 7-0. Northern Illinois has 4th-and-18 at their own 11— their punter catches the snap and throws a long pass to the gunner going down the sideline on the right— the pass bounces couple yards short of the receiver, who was 3-4 yards short of the line to gain anyway, and he was covered, to boot. Simply awful.

The TV announcers were stunned, tried to be kind, but it was coaching malpractice. Duke scored a TD three plays later, led 14-0 on their way to an easy 36-14 win.

11) UCLA kicker JJ Molson is an 8th generation member of the Molson family, who own part of the largest brewery in Canada. His dad’s cousin owns the Montreal Canadiens; the kid’s mother is an optometrist- their family’s net worth is estimated a $1.6B, thats billion, with a B.

JJ Molson turned down a scholarship offer from Alabama to kick at UCLA. Before this season, he had never kicked before a crowd larger than 1,000 people.

10) Utah 30, West Virginia 14— Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is the King of Bowls; he is 11-1 in bowls as a head coach. Utes weren’t even that good this year (7-6) but they won this game easily.

9) Weird scene after the Seattle-Dallas game Sunday, with Seahawks’ DB Earl Thomas running up to Cowboys coach Jason Garrett in the tunnel after the game and apparently asking Garrett to recruit him in free agency this winter. You don’t see that every day.

8) 91-year old Mel Brooks has been an actor, writer, producer, director, comedian, composer. He is a comic genius- his resume goes from Get Smart to Blazing Saddles to The Producers. Brooks was married to the great actress Anne Bancroft for 41 years before she passed away in 2005.

During World War II, Brooks was a corporal in the 78th Infantry Division, defusing landmines. What a life he’s had, but it was amazing to me that the guy who created such great comedy spent part of his life under the greatest pressure imaginable, defusing landmines in a war. Wow.

7) Phoenix Suns beat Memphis 99-97 Tuesday night on a great side out-of-bounds play with 0:00.6 left; the inbounder basically tried to put his pass in the basket, then Tyson Chandler simply tipped it home at the buzzer- there cannot be offensive goaltending on a shot that wouldn’t be a legal basket, such as an in-bounds pass. Clever strategy by Suns’ coach Jay Triano.

6) All the NFL games with playoff implications are being played at 4:25 Sunday, to increase the drama as far as who makes/misses the playoffs.

Ravens’ coach John Harbaugh was whining Tuesday that the late start might hurt the crowd in Baltimore, saying, “I don’t think the NFL did us any favors by moving it back, but they don’t care about us. So, we just have to care about ourselves. We have to take care of our own business. That goes for our team, for our fans and for our city. Let’s go win the football game.”

Playing the “us against the world” card. Jeez, all they have to do is beat the Bengals.

5) Jacksonville Jaguars have had 13 players who started every game this season; Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had one. Part of winning is the good fortune of staying healthy.

4) Saw a scary story on the Interweb this week about how Houston Astros’ coach Rich Dauer almost died at the Astros’ World Series parade/celebration just after the World Series.

Turns out Dauer had fallen and banged his head the day before, and he had bleeding on the brain the next day. Doctors performed an aamergency operations and he came thru it well, in a situation where one doctor had given him a 3% chance of having a complete recovery.

3) Rams are sitting out lot of starters this week, notably Todd Gurley/Jared Goff, which means QB Sean Mannion will make his first NFL start……….likewise for the Chiefs, with Alex Smith taking a seat in Denver this week— rookie Patrick Mahomes gets his first NFL start.

2) Chicago Bulls are 3-20 with Nikola Mirotic out of the lineup this season; they’re 9-2 since he got back in the lineup. Mirotic was out of the lineup because he got punched out by teammate Bobby Portis in a practice before the season started and his cheekbones got broken. Not good.

1) Disappointing news from the Arena Football front, where apparently the Tampa Bay Storm have closed up shop, meaning the AFL is down to four teams this season, which obviously isn’t a good situation. Arenaball is a great, affordable night out; hopefully more cities will be interested in having a team and the league can become popular again, like it was in the 90’s.

**Udog** · 12-28-2017, 08:48 AM

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, December 28

Pistons lost three of last four games with Orlando; they’re 2-2 vs spread in last four visits here. Seven of last ten series games went over the total. Detroit won five of its last six games; they’re 2-1 vs spread as road underdogs. Three of their last four games went over total. Orlando lost its last nine games; they’re 3-5 as home underdogs. Five of last seven Magic games stayed under total.

Houston won six of last eight games with Boston; they’re 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Beantown. Last ten series games stayed under the total. Rockets lost their last three games after a 14-game win streak; Houston is 9-5 vs spread on road, 1-1 as an underdog. Eight of their last ten games went over total. Boston lost three of its last five games; they’re 10-7-2 vs spread at home, 2-0 as underdogs. Over is 8-2 in their last ten home games.

Bucks won five of their last six games with Minnesota; under is 7-3 in last ten series games. Wolves are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Wisconsin. Minnesota won its last five games; they’re 5-4 as road underdogs. Seven of Wolves’ last eight games went over total. Milwaukee lost five of its last seven games; they’re 6-7-2 as home favorites. Bucks’ last nine games went over the total.

Knicks lost three of last four games with San Antonio; they covered four of last five visits to the Alamo. Over is 5-2-1 in last eight series games. Knicks lost four of last five games; they’re 3-8 vs spread as road underdogs. Four of their last five games stayed under total. San Antonio won five of its last six games; they’re 10-6 as home favorites. Six of their last nine games stayed under the total.

Home side won last six Philly-Portland games. 76ers covered three of last four visits to Oregon. Four of last five series games stayed under. Philadelphia lost nine of its last 11 games; they’re 2-5 vs spread in last seven games as a road underdog. Three of their last four games stayed under the total. Portland lost there of its last four games; they’re 2-10-1 vs spread as home favorites. Seven of last eight Blazer games went under the total.

NBA

Thursday, December 28

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Trend Report
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DETROIT @ ORLANDO
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Detroit's last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games at home
Orlando is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Detroit

HOUSTON @ BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Houston's last 10 games when playing Boston
Houston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Boston's last 10 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing at home against Houston

MINNESOTA @ MILWAUKEE
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games at home

NEW YORK @ SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing at home against New York
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

PHILADELPHIA @ PORTLAND
Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Portland's last 8 games
Portland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

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**Udog** · 12-28-2017, 10:07 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Thursday, December 28

Detroit @ Orlando

Game 501-502
December 28, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
115.223
Orlando
118.762
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 3 1/2
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
N/A

Houston @ Boston

Game 503-504
December 28, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
124.312
Boston
121.445
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 3
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
N/A

Minnesota @ Milwaukee

Game 505-506
December 28, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
116.512
Milwaukee
121.987
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 5 1/2
219
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
by 2 1/2
212 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(-2 1/2); Over

New York @ San Antonio

Game 507-508
December 28, 2017 @ 8:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
111.398
San Antonio
126.784
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 15 1/2
194
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 10 1/2
201
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-10 1/2); Under

Philadelphia @ Portland

Game 509-510
December 28, 2017 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
119.842
Portland
118.716
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 1
202
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 3 1/2
208
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+3 1/2); Under

NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, December 28

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DETROIT (19 - 14) at ORLANDO (11 - 24) - 12/28/2017, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 4-4 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-3 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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HOUSTON (25 - 7) at BOSTON (28 - 10) - 12/28/2017, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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MINNESOTA (22 - 13) at MILWAUKEE (17 - 15) - 12/28/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.
MINNESOTA is 49-78 ATS (-36.8 Units) after scoring 115 points or more since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 394-459 ATS (-110.9 Units) in home games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 261-315 ATS (-85.5 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.

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

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NEW YORK (17 - 17) at SAN ANTONIO (24 - 11) - 12/28/2017, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 1022-894 ATS (+38.6 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 818-696 ATS (+52.4 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 522-435 ATS (+43.5 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 30-14 ATS (+14.6 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 61-38 ATS (+19.2 Units) in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 343-270 ATS (+46.0 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 341-279 ATS (+34.1 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 210-160 ATS (+34.0 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.

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

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PHILADELPHIA (15 - 18) at PORTLAND (17 - 16) - 12/28/2017, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 66-48 ATS (+13.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 57-37 ATS (+16.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 30-17 ATS (+11.3 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.

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

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Announcement

Thursday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 12/28

Thursday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 12/28

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