Announcement

**Udog** · 01-18-2018, 08:30 AM

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

— SMU 83, Wichita State 78— Pretty big upset in the AAC.

— Alabama 76, Auburn 71— Crimson Tide won, even though Sexton didn’t play

— Fresno St 77, San Diego St 73— Mountain West might get only one team in NCAA.

— Stanford 86, Arizona State 77— ASU is 2-4 in Pac-12; they were 12-0 before that.

— Missouri 59, Tennessee 55— Cuonzo Martin wins first game against his old team.

— Surprising: last year, Forbes magazine listed the Pirates as the 17th (out of 30) most valuable MLB franchise. Thought they’d be lower than that.

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

13) Webster’s defines scapegoat this way: “a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.”

Pittsburgh Steelers lost a home playoff game 45-42 Sunday; there was much unrest in Steelers’ Nation, so a scapegoat was found— offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

You would think defensive coordinator would take some grief, but no. Maybe when the QB, a future Hall of Famer, tells the media that he isn’t allowed to audible to a QB sneak, maybe that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

12) Speaking of quarterbacks not being allowed to audible, when Mike Martz ran the Rams’ offense, his QB’s, Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger, weren’t allowed to audible either. Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, especially when you have a veteran QB, but coaches have big egos, too.

11) TCU’s best guard, Jaylen Fisher, is out indefinitely after hurting his knee in practice. TCU is 2-4 in Big X, with five of the six games decided by 5 or less points- 3 of the 5 games went to OT.

10) Shaquille O’Neal’s son Shareef is a 6-7 power forward who is committed to play for Arizona next year- he is considered a 4-star (out of 5) recruit.

9) South Carolina 76, Kentucky 68— Wildcats led by 14 points with 11:30 left, lost in Columbia brickfest Tuesday where teams combined to go 6-34 on arc. Kentucky used nine players; six freshmen (five of them started) and three sophomores.

8) Thru Tuesday’s college basketball games, the national average on free throws was 70.9%, which would be the highest it has been the last 17 years, and 3rd year in row it has gone up.

Some conference championship game trends:
7) Over last four years, favorites are 7-1 vs spread in conference championship games.

6) In Belichick/Brady era, Patriots are 7-4 in AFC title games (6-5 vs spread), 5-1 at home (3-3 vs spread).

5) Last 12 years, road favorites in conference title games are 1-2-1 vs spread.

4) According to ESPN Stats, the last five NFL teams that won playoff games with a walk-off TD lost their next game, by an average of 23 points.

3) Gene Steratore will be the referee in the Super Bowl; he’s also worked 24 D-I basketball games this winter, 22 of them involving Big 14 teams.

Steratore wound up working 60 basketball games last year, 63 the year before.

2) Teams are averaging 70.2 possessions per game this season, most in the last 17 years. Teams are playing a little faster, but the shot clock was 0:35 most of that time, not the current 0:30.

1) Teams are scoring 73.6 ppg, most in the last 17 years; five years ago, teams averaged only 66.9 ppg, so that is positive change. People like to watch good offense, even if it is really bad defense.

**Udog** · 01-18-2018, 08:40 AM

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, January 18

Cavaliers lost four in row, 8 of last 10 games; they’re 5-14 vs spread as home favorites. Under is 6-4 in their last ten home games. Orlando lost 16 of last 18 games; they’re 3-8 in last 11 tries as road underdogs. Under is 11-5 in their last 16 games. Cleveland won nine of last 10 games with Orlando but Magic covered four of last six— Magic is 2-3 vs spread in last five visits here. Three of last four series games went over.

Celtics won nine of last 10 games with Philly, covering last three; Sixers covered three of last four visits to Beantown. Six of last eight series games went over the total. 76ers won five of their last six games; they’re 7-8 as road underdogs. Four of their last five games went over total. Boston won seven of its last eight games; they’re 10-7-2 as home favorites. Three of their last four home games stayed under.

Rockets won nine of last ten games with Minnesota, but Wolves covered seven of last eight; Minnesota is 5-1 vs spread in last six visits here. Nine of last ten series games went over total. Minnesota won five of its last six games; they’re 5-6 as road underdogs. Under is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Houston split its last six games; they’re 3-6 in last nine tries as home favorites. Last seven Houston home games went over.

Portland won eight of last ten games with Indiana; four of last five series games went over total. Pacers are 1-4 vs spread in their last five visits to Oregon. Pacers won five of their last six games; they’re 8-7 as road underdogs. Five of their last six games stayed under. Portland won its last four home games; they’re 4-11-1 vs spread as home favorites. Blazers’ last six games all went over the total.

NBA

Thursday, January 18

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Trend Report
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PHILADELPHIA @ BOSTON
Philadelphia is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Boston is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games when playing Philadelphia

ORLANDO @ CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games on the road
Orlando is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 18-1 SU in its last 19 games when playing Orlando
Cleveland is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games at home

MINNESOTA @ HOUSTON
Minnesota is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games at home
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota

INDIANA @ PORTLAND
Indiana is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Indiana is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland's last 5 games
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana

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**Udog** · 01-18-2018, 09:55 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, January 18

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ORLANDO (13 - 31) at CLEVELAND (26 - 17) - 1/18/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 17-26 ATS (-11.6 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 39-56 ATS (-22.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 131-169 ATS (-54.9 Units) in January games since 1996.
ORLANDO is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
ORLANDO is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
ORLANDO is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 12-30 ATS (-21.0 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 this season.
CLEVELAND is 6-26 ATS (-22.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 3-16 ATS (-14.6 Units) in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 4-18 ATS (-15.8 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 5-19 ATS (-15.9 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 3-17 ATS (-15.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CLEVELAND is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 5-4 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 8-1 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PHILADELPHIA (20 - 20) at BOSTON (34 - 11) - 1/18/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 27-16 ATS (+9.4 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 71-50 ATS (+16.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 59-38 ATS (+17.2 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 27-14 ATS (+11.6 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 51-35 ATS (+12.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.

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

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MINNESOTA (29 - 17) at HOUSTON (30 - 12) - 1/18/2018, 9:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 6-1 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 6-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA (24 - 20) at PORTLAND (23 - 21) - 1/18/2018, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.

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

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**Udog** · 01-18-2018, 11:39 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Thursday, January 18

Orlando @ Cleveland

Game 501-502
January 18, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Orlando
112.412
Cleveland
120.554
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 8
231
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 11
222
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(+11); Over

Philadelphia @ Boston

Game 503-504
January 18, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
120.508
Boston
123.412
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 3
216
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 4 1/2
211
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+4 1/2); Over

Minnesota @ Houston

Game 505-506
January 18, 2018 @ 9:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
119.223
Houston
128.412
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 9
218
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 4 1/2
222 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-4 1/2); Under

Indiana @ Portland

Game 507-508
January 18, 2018 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
114.341
Portland
121.856
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Portland
by 7 1/2
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 3 1/2
213 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(-3 1/2); Under

**Udog** · 01-18-2018, 02:19 PM

NBA

Thursday, January 18

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NBA Game of the Day: Timberwolves at Rockets betting preview and odds
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Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets (-5, 222.5)

Both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets saw their respective winning streaks come to an end in heated affairs on the road. The two Western Conference contenders will try to keep their emotions in check and get back into the win column when they meet Thursday in Houston in the first of four encounters over the next two months.

The Rockets had won three in a row before a testy loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that resulted in several Houston players attempting to get into the Clippers' locker room and police coming to the scene to calm the situation. "They were talking crazy throughout the game," Rockets guard Eric Gordon told the Houston Chronicle. "Yeah, they were playing well. We just didn't like how it ended. The refs let them talk crazy until something had to happen, let guys on our own go out there. We're not going to stand by with somebody out there like that. Blake Griffin, he's talking crazy. All those guys were talking big. Things happen. We're going to remember it, though." The Timberwolves will certainly remember a 108-102 loss at lowly Orlando on Tuesday that featured a second-quarter fight and eventually ended their five-game winning streak. Jimmy Butler scored 28 points for Minnesota, which has given up at least 103 points in three straight outings after holding seven consecutive opponents under 100.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

LINE HISTORY: This late-arriving line opened with the Rockets as 5.5-point home favorites before quickly dropping to -5. The total hit betting boards at 222 and was bumped slightly to 222.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Timberwolves - C J. Patton (Out Indefinitely, Toe).

Rockets - SG J. Harden (Probable, Hamstring), SF T. Williams (Questionable, Knee), PF Z. Qi (Questionable, Elbow), SG G. Green (Out, Suspension), SF T. Ariza (Out, Suspension), C T. Nene (Out Indefinitely, Knee).

POWER RANKINGS: Timberwolves (-7.1) - Rockets (-10.3) + home court (-3) = Rockets -6.2

MATCHUP CHART:

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (29-17 SU, 22-22-2 ATS, 23-22-1 O/U): With this visit to Houston, a home game against Toronto and then a three-game road trip that includes games against the streaking Clippers and the defending champs in Golden State, Tuesday's loss may have been a blessing. "I'm glad we (expletive) lost, coming in here on our high horse thinking we are a really good team and we haven't done anything yet," Butler told reporters. "Good for us, man. They played better than us." While Butler was 4-for-4 from the line, eight of his teammates combined to go just 5-for-6.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (30-12 SU, 20-21-1 ATS, 21-20-1 O/U): Houston is 4-3 since losing the NBA's leading scorer, James Harden, to a hamstring injury but he has been upgraded to questionable for this one, as have three reserves, including veteran big man Nene (knee). Gerald Green, one of several Rockets who reportedly went to the Clippers' locker room and could face discipline from the league, has helped to replace some of Harden's scoring but is 11-for-39 from the field - including 5-for-24 from beyond the arc - over the last three games. Center Clint Capela scored in double figures in a season-high seven straight games and he shot 23-for-26 in three games against the Timberwolves last season.

TRENDS:

* Timberwolves are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
* Rockets are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
* Under is 5-0 in Timberwolves' last 5 road games.
* Over is 8-0 in Rockets' last 8 home games.
* Over is 7-0 in the last 7 meetings in Houston.

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**Udog** · 01-18-2018, 02:57 PM

James Harden will return to the lineup tonight after missing the team's last 7 games with an injured hamstring.
Rockets were 4-3 SU and ATS without him.

Announcement

Thursday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 1/18

Thursday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 1/18

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