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**Udog** · 05-25-2018, 08:28 AM

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

College football lines that moved 4+ points Thursday:

— Texas (+1) to (-3) vs USC

— North Carolina (+11) to (+7) vs Central Florida

— West Virginia (+3) to (-1.5) vs Texas Tech

— Texas (+12) to (+6) vs Oklahoma

— Arkansas State (pick) to (-4) vs Appalachian State

— Oregon (-9) to (-13) vs Arizona State

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Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Random stuff after a fun vacation…….

13) Rockets 98, Warriors 94— Golden State’s bench was a combined 2-8 from floor in 53:00 in this game; I didn’t think Houston could beat the Warriors unless they outran them, but they held Golden State to 92-94 points in their last two games.

In their three series wins, Houston has taken 123 3-pointers, 122 2-pointers; in Golden State’s two wins, Rockets have taken 71 treys and 95 2-point shots. Harden was 0-11 behind the arc in this game, but his team leads series, 3-2.

12) Again, in their three wins, Houston has taken 81.7 shots/game; in their losses, 83, so they’re winning with their defensive performance, which is a big surprise.

11) Had an excellent conversation in the Westgate SuperBook Wednesday night with a smart bettor who retired from the military and now lives in Las Vegas. He likes to play parlays and explained to me why; he knows a lot about soccer (I know NOTHING). Learned a lot from talking to him.

10) My godson Tom knows a lot about soccer; he likes Belgium in the World Cup.

9) There have been 23 baseball games this season where a pitcher had a no-hitter going thru six innings. That seems like a lot.

Thru Wednesday, the MLB batting average was .244; last time a full season ended with a batting average that low was 1972, the year before the DH came into being.

8) UConn totally dominates women’s college basketball, so I’m wondering, how many UConn players are in the 12-team WNBA? Must be two or three per team, no?

Turns out there are currently 17 UConn alumni in the 12-team WNBA. 1.4 per team.

7) SEC-Big X college basketball challenge this winter has some solid matchups: West Virginia-Tennessee, Florida-TCU, Kansas-Kentucky being three of the best.

6) Baseball’s amateur draft is coming up; apparently it is very wide open this year. Detroit has the first pick and consensus is they’re still torn on who their #1 pick will be. Unusual.

5) New England Patriots were practicing in OTA’s in number-less jerseys; the NFL told them to grow up and put numbers on, so Belichick had them wear numbers they won’t (can’t) wear in regular season games. Do rival teams spy on OTA’s?

4) Orioles’ Dylan Bundy is 2-1, 2.86 in three starts since he gave up seven runs on 28 pitches in a hideous start against the Royals earlier this month.

3) Since 1970, 50 QB’s were taken in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft; of those 50, 42 started at least one NFL regular season game. Christian Hackenberg hasn’t even gotten into a game yet; I’m curious why the Raiders traded for him this week.

2) Last year, Oakland averaged 4.14 points less per game than their weekly over/under; Atlanta averaged 4.06 less points per game. Falcons were an “over” machine in 2016; last year, not so much.

1) Indians’ Trevor Bauer and Astros’ Gerrit Cole played college baseball together at UCLA- they did not get along well.

Says Bauer: “We had a rocky relationship in college, because he told me that I had no future in baseball and he insulted my work ethic as a freshman.” Alrighty then.

The two hurlers face each other in Cleveland Sunday.

**Udog** · 05-25-2018, 08:48 AM

NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 6 betting preview and odds: Celtics at Cavaliers

Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers (-7, 201.5)

Celtics lead series 3-2.

The Boston Celtics are one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday. The Celtics possess a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals but are just 1-6 on the road this postseason, including two setbacks in Cleveland.

Cavaliers forward LeBron James could be playing in his final game in Cleveland before his expected dive into free agency but he is currently focused on earning one more trip to Boston. "We're looking forward to having an opportunity to force a Game 7," James told reporters after his squad's 96-83 loss in Wednesday's Game 5. "It's up to us to see if we can come back here for one more." Boston continues to persevere behind its young roster but it will have to step up if it is to close the series on the Cavaliers' home floor. "Now we have a big challenge to go on the road," Boston veteran big man Al Horford told reporters. "We're going to have to play a great game come Friday because they're tough at home. At least in our series, they've had their way."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

SERIES PRICE:

LINE HISTORY: The Cavaliers opened as 7-point home favorites with their backs against the wall for Game 6 and as of Thursday night that pointspread has not moved. The total hit betting boards at 201.5 and has not moved off the opening number.

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The home team is now a perfect 5-0 SU/ATS in this playoff series. It is not a surprise as the Celtics are now it 10-0 SU at home this postseason. Boston is a young, well-coached team that feeds off the energy of their home crowd, but has struggled to perform on the road, with their only playoff road win coming in overtime." - Steve Merril.

INJURY REPORT:

Celtics - PG Shane Larkin (Out Indefinitely, Shoulder), PG Kyrie Irving (Out For Season, Knee), PF Daniel Theis (Out For Season, Knee), SF Gordon Hayward (Out For Season, Ankle).

Cavaliers - No injuries to report.

MATCHUP CHART:

ABOUT THE CELTICS (66-33 SU, 62-35-2 ATS, 52-46-1 O/U): Small forward Jayson Tatum scored 24 points in Game 5 for his ninth 20-point outing of the postseason. The 20-year-old is putting together one of the best scoring playoff runs by a rookie in NBA history with 312 points and he trails only Elgin Baylor (331), Alvan Adams (341) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (352). "It's just been a lot of fun," Tatum told reporters. "I've just been enjoying it, the level of play, the atmosphere. The playoffs bring the best out of people and out of players, and hopefully we keep it going. ... We're one win away from going to the Finals. "

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (60-38 SU, 38-59-1 ATS, 45-51-2 O/U): James had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while going 11-of-22 shooting in Game 5 and he downplayed interrogating questions about his level of fatigue. "I had my moments, but I think everybody at this point is tired, worn down whatever the case may be," James told reporters. "I was still trying to make plays, put our team in position to win." James topped 40 points twice in this series and six times in the postseason and has at times single-handedly kept his team afloat.

TRENDS:

* Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* Cavaliers are 17-35-1 ATS in their last 53 home games.
* Under is 5-0 in Celtics' last 5 games following a straight up win.
* Under is 5-1 in Cavaliers' last 6 games following a straight up loss.
* Home team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

CONSENSUS: Early consensus numbers show 63 percent of spread bets are coming in on the underdog Celtics while 68 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.

**Udog** · 05-25-2018, 08:55 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, May 25

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BOSTON (66 - 33) at CLEVELAND (60 - 38) - 5/25/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 60-35 ATS (+21.5 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
BOSTON is 29-18 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games this season.
BOSTON is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all playoff games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
BOSTON is 36-19 ATS (+15.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 23-14 ATS (+7.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 39-20 ATS (+17.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
CLEVELAND is 38-58 ATS (-25.8 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 23-48 ATS (-29.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 16-32 ATS (-19.2 Units) in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
CLEVELAND is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) after scoring 85 points or less over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 10-9 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 13-7 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
12 of 20 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, May 25

Boston (3-2) @ Cleveland
Home side won/covered all five series games; four of the five games stayed under the total- in last 14 games between these teams, under is 9-5. In Game 4, Hill-Smith-Thompson shot 2-14 from floor, James/Love were 17-35 but they need help!!! Rozier/Brown shot a combined 7-30 in Game 4 and Celtics still won by 13. In games 3-4, the two games in Cleveland, Cavaliers led by 20-15 points at halftime. All five games were decided by 9+ points. Boston lost five of its last six road games- they won Game 3 in Philly.

Conference finals
Cavaliers-Celtics
Bos 108-83, +1, U204.5
Bos 107-94, +1, U205.5
Clev 116-86, -6.5, U207
Clev 111-102, -7, O205
Bos 96-83, -1.5, U205

Warriors-Rockets
GState 119-106, -1.5, U225.5
Hst 127-105, -1.5, O225
GState 126-85, -7, U228
Hst 95-92, +8, U227
Hst 98-94, +1, U220

NBA

Friday, May 25

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Trend Report
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Boston Celtics
Boston is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
Boston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
Boston is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Boston is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games
Cleveland is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland's last 14 games at home
Cleveland is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing Boston
Cleveland is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Boston
Cleveland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Boston

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**Udog** · 05-25-2018, 08:58 AM

WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, May 25

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MINNESOTA (1 - 1) at NEW YORK (0 - 1) - 5/25/2018, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in home games when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 3 seasons.

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

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CHICAGO (2 - 1) at SEATTLE (1 - 1) - 5/25/2018, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) against Eastern conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 38-63 ATS (-31.3 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.
SEATTLE is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

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

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WNBA

Friday, May 25

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Trend Report
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Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Minnesota is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing New York
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing New York
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota's last 10 games when playing New York
Minnesota is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against New York
Minnesota is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Minnesota's last 14 games when playing on the road against New York
New York Liberty
New York is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
New York is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New York's last 10 games
New York is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
New York is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New York's last 7 games at home
New York is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Minnesota
New York is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New York's last 10 games when playing Minnesota
New York is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Minnesota
New York is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of New York's last 14 games when playing at home against Minnesota

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**Udog** · 05-25-2018, 11:01 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Friday, May 25

Boston @ Cleveland

Game 709-710
May 25, 2018 @ 8:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
117.295
Cleveland
126.885
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 9 1/2
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 7
201 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-7); Over

WNBA
Dunkel

Friday, May 25

Minnesota @ New York

Game 315-316
May 25, 2018 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
115.415
New York
117.185
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 2
158
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 4 1/2
153
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(+4 1/2); Over

Chicago @ Seattle

Game 317-318
May 25, 2018 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
104.732
Seattle
109.766
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 5
166
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
by 9 1/2
159
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+9 1/2); Over

Announcement

Friday's NBA and WNBA Trends and Indexes - 5/25

Friday's NBA and WNBA Trends and Indexes - 5/25

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