Announcement

**Udog** · 04-25-2018, 10:10 AM

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

You can wager on where players will be taken in the NFL Draft Thursday:

— Baker Mayfield, under 6.5 (-$120)

— Bradley Chubb, under 5.5 (-$180)

— Calvin Ridley 19.5

— Derrius Guice, under 32.5 (-$200)

— Lamar Jackson, over 17.5 (-$200)

— Saquon Barkley, under 5.5 (-$400)

**********

Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Mid-week musings…….

13) First round draft picks in the last five NFL Drafts:
SEC 50, ACC 30, Pac-12 29, Big 14 21, Big X 11.

12) The definition of tone deaf:

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday that Rogers Centre in Toronto is in need of an update. The downtown stadium has been the Blue Jays’ home since 1989.

Not sure if Mr Manfred ever watches CNN, but there was a tragedy in Toronto yesterday, with a van killing ten people in an apparent act of terrorism. I’m guessing that today wasn’t the best time to be asking for improvements to the city’s domed stadium.

11) 76ers 104, Heat 91— Philly is on to the second round for first time since 2012.

10) UCLA QB Josh Rosen has good bloodlines for athletic success; his father Charles was a nationally ranked ice skater who nearly qualified for the Olympics in the 1970s; his mother, Liz, was captain of the Princeton lacrosse team.

9) Mets’ SS Amed Rosario got his 4th walk of the season last night, in his 67th plate appearance; last year, he had three walks in 170 PAs.

8) Big 14 is already moving to 20 conference games next basketball season. ACC will do the same in 2019-20. Now the Pac-12 might go to 20 league games, too. This will hurt mid-majors trying to get an at large NCAA bid- extra conference games will raise teams’ power ratings.

7) Reds 9, Braves 7 (12)— Atlanta scored four runs in 9th inning to tie game, but Scooter Gennett sent everyone home happy with a walk-off homer in the 12th inning.

6) Golfer Matt Kuchar has made 28 consecutive cuts, longest current streak on the PGA Tour.

5) There have been 77 home runs hit into McCovey Cove behind the RF fence at Giants’ Pac-Bell ballpark in San Francisco; 35 of those were hit by Barry Bonds.

4) Houston Rockets led 50-49 at halftime in Minnesota Monday night, then outscored the Timberwolves 50-20 in the 3rd quarter, as they took a 3-1 series lead. It was only the second time ever a team had a +30 quarter in a playoff game.

3) I wonder if someday baseball will go to flat bases, like we used to have in kickball when we were kids. Two reasons:
a) Players sometimes turn an ankle stepping on a base, especially if it is raining.
b) Once in a great while, batted balls hit a base and provide a lucky hit.

Not saying I would endorse that, but could see it happening.

2) 236 players declared as early-entrants for the NBA Draft, 181 from colleges; those who did not sign with an agent can still go back to college. There are only 60 picks in the NBA Draft, so do the math. Salary in the G-League is $35,000 a year, about the same as tuition for a year in college. Some kids have some very interesting choices to make.

1) I have no sympathy for guys who are eligible for the NBA or NFL Draft who fail a drug test before the draft. You’re on the verge of getting a job that potentially can pay you millions of dollars; you KNOW you’re going to get drug tested. You KNOW it!!!

A wide receiver from Florida failed a drug test at the NFL Combine. At the freakin’ Combine? Not good.

**Udog** · 04-25-2018, 12:04 PM

NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, April 25

Washington @ Toronto

Game 709-710
April 25, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
116.228
Toronto
126.319
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 10
212
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 7
216
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-7); Under

Indiana @ Cleveland

Game 711-712
April 25, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
117.763
Cleveland
126.892
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 9
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 6
204 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-6); Over

Minnesota @ Houston

Game 713-714
April 25, 2018 @ 9:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
117.856
Houston
125.786
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 8
221
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 12
216
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+12); Over

Utah @ Oklahoma City

Game 715-716
April 25, 2018 @ 9:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
123.413
Oklahoma City
121.867
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 1 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 3 1/2
207 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(+3 1/2); Under

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, April 25

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WASHINGTON (45 - 41) at TORONTO (61 - 25) - 4/25/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 38-46 ATS (-12.6 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 23-42 ATS (-23.2 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.
TORONTO is 197-249 ATS (-76.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 8-7 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 10-5 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA (50 - 36) at CLEVELAND (52 - 34) - 4/25/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 49-36 ATS (+9.4 Units) in all games this season.
INDIANA is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 21-12 ATS (+7.8 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
INDIANA is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 35-19 ATS (+14.1 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 76-52 ATS (+18.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
CLEVELAND is 33-51 ATS (-23.1 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 20-45 ATS (-29.5 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 13-29 ATS (-18.9 Units) in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 21-36 ATS (-18.6 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 13-5 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 13-7 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
10 of 19 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MINNESOTA (48 - 38) at HOUSTON (68 - 18) - 4/25/2018, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 374-438 ATS (-107.8 Units) in the second half of the season since 1996.
HOUSTON is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) against Northwest division opponents this season.
HOUSTON is 38-51 ATS (-18.1 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 14-27 ATS (-15.7 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) in home games after scoring 115 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 8-7 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 13-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
10 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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UTAH (51 - 35) at OKLAHOMA CITY (49 - 37) - 4/25/2018, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
UTAH is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
UTAH is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 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 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
UTAH is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 34-50 ATS (-21.0 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 25-42 ATS (-21.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 16-25 ATS (-11.5 Units) in home games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-17 ATS (-15.7 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 11-26 ATS (-17.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 17-28 ATS (-13.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-7 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 11-5 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
10 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, April 25

Wizards @ Raptors (2-2)
 Home side won all four series games, three of which went over total. Washington is 5-9 in its last 14 games vs Toronto, 2-3 vs spread in last five series games played here. Raptors won their last five home games (4-0-1 vs spread); they won seven of their last 10 games overall. Four of last five Toronto games went over the total. Washington lost seven of its last ten games; over is 6-3 in their last nine games. Toronto was up 11 at the half in Game 4, but were outscored 66-47 in second half so now this is a best-of-3 series.

Pacers (2-2) @ Cavaliers
Cleveland led last three series games by 12-17-10 points at half; they outscored Pacers 22-8 on foul line at Indiana. Home side won five of last seven series games; Pacers covered three of last four visits here, splitting the four games SU. Under is 6-0-1 in last seven series games. Korver/Smith were combined 8-19 on arc in Game 4; Lebron needs help to win this series. Oladipo was just 5-20 in Game 4; Pacers were just 12-33 on arc, are 20-59 in last two games. Indiana put seven guys in double figures but no one had 20+.
 
 Timberwolves @ Rockets (3-1)
Houston was up 50-49 at halftime of Game 4, then hung a 50-20 third quarter on Minnesota in third quarter, just 2nd time ever a playoff team won a quarter by 30+ points. Rockets won nine of last ten games with Minnesota, covering six of last eight; Timberwolves are 3-3 vs spread in their last six visits here. Houston was +10 (16-6) in turnovers in Game 4; they outscored Wolves 23-14 on foul line. This was first time in three games Rockets took more 2-point shots than 3-pointers. Over is 9-5 in last 14 series games. Wolves covered six of last eight games overall.

Jazz (3-1) @ Thunder
Thunder’s Big 3 shot just 21-59 in Game 4, are 39-102 in last two games, which isn’t good. Jazz lost five of last six visits to Oklahoma City (2-4 vs spread); Thunder shot just 39.3% from floor, 5-26 on arc in Game 4 loss; they lost both games in Utah, by 13-17 points, need win here to keep their season going. Utah won nine of last 11 games overall; under is 9-5 in their last 14 games. Rookie Mitchell had 33 points, 4 assists, no turnovers in Game 4; they won three of last five road games.

Wizards-Raptors
Tor 114-106, -7.5, O211
Tor 130-119, -7, O214
Wsh 122-103, -1, O217.5
Wsh 106-98, +1.5, U217

Heat-76ers
Phil 130-103, -6.5, O212
Mia 113-103, +6.5, U217
Phil 128-108, -2.5, O213.5
Phil 106-102, -4, U212.5
Phil 104-91, -10, U215.5
76ers win series, 4-1

Bucks-Celtics
Bos 113-107 OT, -4.5, O199.5
Bos 120-106, -1, O200
Mil 116-92, -5, O205.5
Mil 104-102, -5.5, O203.5
Bos 92-87, -4.5, U202.5

Pacers-Cavaliers
Ind 98-80, +7.5, U212.5
Clev 100-97, -8, U209
Ind 92-90, -1.5, U209.5
Clev 104-100, -1.5, U206.5

Spurs-Warriors
GState 113-92, -8, U209.5
GState 116-101, -9 O205.5
GState 110-97, -3.5, O205.5
SA 103-90, +5.5, U206.5
GState 99-91, -11, U204.5
Warriors win series, 4-1

Pelicans-Blazers
NO 97-95, +5.5, U216.5
NO 111-102, +6, U216
NO 119-102, -3.5, O215.5
NO 131-123, -6.5, O217
Pelicans win series, 4-0

Jazz-Thunder
OKC 116-108, -4.5, O205
Utah 102-95, +4, U206.5
Utah 115-102, -5, O209
Utah 113-96, -5, O208

Wolves-Rockets
Hst 104-101, -11.5, U215.5
Hst 102-82, -10.5, U212.5
Minn 121-105, +6, O217
Hst 119-100, -6, O217

NBA

Wednesday, April 25

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Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Washington Wizards
Washington is 8-15-1 ATS in its last 24 games
Washington is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 10 games
Washington is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
Washington is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Washington is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Washington's last 16 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 5-12-1 ATS in its last 18 games
Toronto is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games
Toronto is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Toronto is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Washington
Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Toronto's last 16 games when playing at home against Washington

Indiana Pacers
Indiana is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 5 games
Indiana is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games on the road
Indiana is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland
Indiana is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Indiana's last 7 games when playing Cleveland
Indiana is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Indiana is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 8 games at home
Cleveland is 5-17-1 ATS in its last 23 games when playing Indiana
Cleveland is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing Indiana
Cleveland is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Indiana
Cleveland is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Indiana

Utah Jazz
Utah is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Utah is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Utah's last 15 games
Utah is 13-5-1 ATS in its last 19 games on the road
Utah is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Utah's last 9 games on the road
Utah is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Utah's last 20 games when playing Oklahoma City
Utah is 4-11-1 ATS in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Utah is 1-15 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Utah's last 16 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games
Oklahoma City is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Oklahoma City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Oklahoma City is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Oklahoma City's last 20 games when playing Utah
Oklahoma City is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games when playing at home against Utah
Oklahoma City is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Oklahoma City's last 16 games when playing at home against Utah

Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Minnesota is 7-17 ATS in its last 24 games on the road
Minnesota is 6-18 SU in its last 24 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Houston
Minnesota is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Minnesota's last 21 games when playing Houston
Minnesota is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 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 UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston Rockets
Houston is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Houston is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games
Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Houston is 22-1 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games at home
Houston is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Minnesota
Houston is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Houston's last 21 games when playing Minnesota
Houston is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 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 UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota

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**Udog** · 04-25-2018, 12:13 PM

Wednesday's NBA Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds

The opening round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs continues Wednesday night with four Game 5s, featuring the Wizards/Raptors and Pacers/Cavs facing critical Game 5s with their series' all even at two wins apiece. Also, the Rockets look to finish off the T-Wolves and the Jazz attempt to knock out the Thunder.

Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers (-6, 205)

Every time it looks like the Cleveland Cavaliers are about to roll over and end their reign atop the Eastern Conference, they bounce right back with a win. The Cavaliers will try to take the lead for the first time in the best-of-seven, first-round series when they host the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Cleveland had a chance to take the series lead in Game 3 and could not hold onto a 17-point advantage in a 92-90 loss, but LeBron James took over down the stretch in Game 4 and guided his team to a 104-100 triumph and tie the series at two games apiece. "We came on the road in a hostile environment and got a big win after a letdown last game," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters after the victory. "I thought we played good enough to win that last game. The guys thought that as well. When you lose a tough game like that it’s hard to bounce back, especially on the road. It’s just tribute to our guys’ character, who they are, and we bounced back and won a tough game." The Pacers are showing plenty of fight in the series and are undaunted by Cleveland taking back homecourt advantage. "It's 0-0 and it's anybody's series right now," center Myles Turner told reporters. "And we've gotta be the hungry team. We've got a road win before, and we gotta go do it again."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Indiana, FS Ohio (Cleveland)

SERIES PRICE (PER WESTGATE LV SUPERBOOK):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Cavaliers opened as 6.5-point home favorites for Game 5 and by Wednesday morning that number was down to -6. 64 percent of consensus selections are on the underdog Pacers. The total hit betting boards at 205 and has been steady.

ABOUT THE PACERS (50-36 SU, 50-36 ATS, 32-53-1 O/U): Indiana placed seven scorers in double figures in the Game 4 loss but All-Star Victor Oladipo struggled to 5-of-20 from the floor and Game 3 hero Bojan Bogdanovic went 4-of-13. "I thought we were frantic offensively throughout the game and I just didn't think we played the game the right way," Pacers coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "I thought there were some quick shots, some heroic shots that were taken throughout this game, and you're not going to win if you play the game like that." The positives came up front, where Turner and reserve center Domantas Sabonis combined for 36 points on 16-of-21 shooting.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (52-34 SU, 33-52-1 ATS, 39-45-2 O/U): James finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in Game 4 but took the time out to praise the efforts of his teammates. Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson and Rodney Hood, who all joined the team at the trade deadline, combined for 24 points off the bench. "It means a lot to Rodney, Jordan and Larry,” James told reporters. "It’s their first opportunity in the postseason. It was a must-win for us in a hostile environment. For them to play the way they did meant a lot."

INJURY REPORT:

Pacers - PG Joe Young (Questionable, Illness).

Cavaliers - PG George Hill (Questionable, Back).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Pacers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
* Cavaliers are 16-36-1 ATS in their last 53 home games.
* Under is 16-4-1 in Pacers' last 21 vs. NBA Central.
* Under is 7-1 in Cavaliers' last 8 home games.
* Under is 6-0-1 in the last 7 meetings.

Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors (-7.5, 215.5)

The Toronto Raptors won the first two games of their first-round, Eastern Conference series over the Washington Wizards but could not find a way to win on the road. The Raptors leaned into some bad habits in a Game 4 loss and will try to correct some mistakes when they host Game 5 on Wednesday.

Toronto won a franchise-record 59 games during the regular season and earned the top seed in the East for the first time while playing a band of basketball that encouraged ball movement and 3-point shooting, but some of those traits were hard to find down the stretch in Game 4's 106-98 setback. "At some point we've got to make sure we keep our composure and execute," Raptors coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "We missed some shots we normally make. ... We turned down some good looks I thought we'd normally step into." The Wizards allowed an average of 122 points in the first two games of the series but cut that number down to 100.5 in the next two. "You have to have resolve to win in this league," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "We've had some tough moments this year with (point guard) John (Wall) missing half the season, but we found it, and it put us in a position to make the playoffs through resolve. You win playoff games, and you win playoff series with having that. We have that, and we have to continue to have that because we have to win two more games, and one of them has to be on the road."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Washington, TSN 1/4/5 (Toronto)

SERIES PRICE (PER WESTGATE LV SUPERBOOK):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Raptors opened as 7-point home favorites and as of Wednesday morning that number is up to -7.5, which is in line with consensus numbers that are showing 52 percent of pointspread wager on the Raptors. The total hit betting boards at 215 and has been bumped up slightly to 215.5.

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (45-41 SU, 39-46-1 ATS, 39-45-2 O/U): All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal fouled out of Game 4 with just under five minutes left, but Wall took over down the stretch and finished with 27 points and 14 assists in the win. "Just go in attack mode,” Wall told reporters. "Even when Brad’s in the game, he’s telling me, 'Be aggressive.' At the same time, I'm trying to find him. I'm trying to keep him going and play my game. That gets my teammates involved and makes the job easier for those guys. They are knocking down shots and cutting for me, and I’m going to get my opportunities to score the ball." Wall is averaging 26.3 points, 13 assists and three steals in the series.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (61-25 SU, 45-40-1 ATS, 44-41-1 O/U): DeMar DeRozan scored a game-high 35 points in Game 4 but was just 10-of-29 from the floor. "I took some shots that I wish I could have had back," DeRozan told reporters. "But it's just my mindset going out there and being aggressive, wanting to win, wanting to feel like I was doing whatever it took offensively to push us to a win. But with that came some bad shots that I will definitely understand next time." DeRozan and Kyle Lowry (7-of-15) combined for more than half of Toronto's shot attempts in the loss.

INJURY REPORT:

Wizards - PG John Wall (Probable, Ankle), SG Jodie Meeks (Out For Season, Suspension).

Raptors - SF OG Anunoby (Probable, Ankle), PG Fred VanVleet (Doubtful, Shoulder).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Wizards are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 road games.
* Raptors are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
* Over is 4-0 in Wizards' last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Over is 7-3 in Raptors' last 10 home games.
* Under is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings in Toronto.

Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder (-3.5, 207)

The Utah Jazz won the last three games of a contentious Western Conference first-round series and aim to close out Oklahoma City when they visit the Thunder in Wednesday's Game 5. The Jazz averaged 114 points while winning two games on their home floor and now look to hand Oklahoma City a bitter home setback.

The hotter Utah shoots and the better it plays, the more heated the emotions and tussles have become between the squads. "This is the playoffs. It's going to be war," Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio said after Game 4. "You're playing seven games and you've got to win four. We know that it's going to be another war next game, and we just need to be tough but at the same time mentally ready for that. We're not backing down, but at the same time we know we have to be ready for a fight and respond." The Thunder very much know their backs are against the wall as they also face the prospect of forward Paul George leaving as a free agent. "We gotta win. Nothing to it. We've just gotta win," Oklahoma City forward Carmelo Anthony told reporters. "We can sit here and say what we gotta do, or what we didn't do or what we did do, but it comes down to having the will to win that game Wednesday and forcing a Game 6 back in Utah and taking it from there."

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS Oklahoma

SERIES PRICE (PER WESTGATE LV SUPERBOOK):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Thunder opened as 3-point home favorites for Game 5 as they look to stave off elimination at the hands of the Jazz. As of Wednesday morning that number is up to -3.5 with 64 percent of the consensus pointspread wagers siding with the desperate Thunder. The total hit betting boards at 208 and has been bet down to 207. Check out the complete line history here.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (51-35 SU, 46-40 ATS, 42-43-1 O/U): Standout guard Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.5 points and 8.5 rebounds as the best player in the series and his 33-point effort in Game 4 represents the most scored by a rookie in franchise playoff history, surpassing Karl Malone (31 in 1986). "It's definitely an honor to have a record like that," Mitchell told reporters. "Definitely an honor. No doubt about that, but we have one more game, so I'm focused on that." Rubio is having a solid series with averages of 18.5 points, eight assists, 7.8 rebounds and two steals while small forward Joe Ingles has exposed George the past two games while knocking down 10 3-pointers and averaging 20.5 points.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (49-37 SU, 35-50-1 ATS, 39-47 O/U): George scored 32 points and Westbrook contributed 23 points and 14 rebounds in Game 4 but the team's 5-of-26 effort from 3-point range helped sink their chances. "We were aggressive. We were in attack mode," George told reporters. "We were aggressive. We missed shots. I don't think all season long we've finished a game with only five 3-pointers. We missed shots." Westbrook notched a double-double in each game - three are of the points/rebounds variety - while averaging 21.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists but is shooting just 36.7 percent from the field.

INJURY REPORT:

Jazz - SF Thabo Sefolosha (Out For Season, Knee).

Thunder - SG Andre Roberson (Out For Season, Knee).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Jazz are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Thunder are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.
* Over is 12-3 in Jazz's last 15 vs. Western Conference.
* Over is 4-1 in Thunder's last 5 overall.
* Home team is 21-9 ATS in the last 30 meetings.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets (-12, 216)

The Houston Rockets look to close out the Western Conference first-round series with Minnesota when they host the Timberwolves in Wednesday's Game 5. Houston holds a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after using a 50-point third quarter to prevail in Game 4.

The Rockets led by just one point at halftime of Game 4 before the explosive quarter that fell one point short of the postseason record set by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1962. "We can be that team," Houston reserve guard Eric Gordon told reporters. "We just hadn't gotten into a flow throughout this whole series. It was good to see that." Eighth-seeded Minnesota faces an uphill climb against the top-seeded Rockets and instantly forgetting about the defensive breakdowns might be a tall task. "Fifty points in a quarter is a lot of points," Timberwolves shooting guard Jimmy Butler said. "That can't happen. That's the game in itself."

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

SERIES PRICE (PER WESTGATE LV SUPERBOOK):

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Rockets opened as big 11.5-point home favorites as they attempt to knock the Wolves out of the playoffs. That opening number wasn't big enough for bettors as 53 percent of the consensus pointspread wagers are on the favorite Rockets and the line is up to -12 as of Wednesday morning. The total hit betting boards at 219 and has been dropped way down to 216.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (48-38 SU, 39-44-3 ATS, 47-38-1 O/U): Backup point guard Derrick Rose tallied 17 points in each of the past two games and he would be in line for a lot of minutes once again with starter Jeff Teague (two points on 1-of-7 shooting) dealing with a dislocated right pinky finger. Center Karl-Anthony Towns put together back-to-back strong games by averaging 20 points and 15.5 rebounds after averaging 6.5 points (on 5-of-18 shooting) and 11 rebounds in the first two games of the series. Butler is averaging 17.8 points in the series with a high of 28 while small forward Andrew Wiggins is chipping in 16.3 per game.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (68-18 SU, 43-42-1 ATS, 35-50-1 O/U): Guard James Harden scored 22 of his 36 points in the third-quarter spree and is averaging 30.8 points in the series on 41.8 percent shooting. "We had the mentality to be aggressive, make or missed shots," Harden told reporters of the third-quarter outburst. "That's what we do. We shoot the basketball, and eventually they'll start falling." Point guard Chris Paul was all-around solid with 25 points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals in Game 4 and is averaging 20.8 points in the series.

INJURY REPORT:

Timberwolves - PG Tyus Jones (Questionable, Knee), C Justin Patton (Out For Season, Foot).

Rockets - SF PJ Tucker (Probable, Knee), PF Luc Mbah a Moute (Early May, Shoulder).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Timberwolves are 7-17 ATS in their last 24 road games.
* Rockets are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
* Under is 5-0 in Timberwolves last 5 road games.
* Under is 10-1 in Rockets last 11 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
* Over is 16-5 in the last 21 meetings.

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Wednesday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 4/25

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