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**Udog** · 05-31-2018, 09:13 AM

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Favorites for the Memorial golf tournament this weekend:

12-1— Dustin Johnson, Jason Day

14-1— Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy

16-1— Jordan Spieth, Eldrick Woods

20-1— Rickie Fowler

25-1— Henrik Stenson

33-1— Matsuyama, Reed, Leishman, Watson

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

13) Didn’t write about this yesterday because I was trying to fully grasp whats going on, but there are strange doings on social media this week. Apparently 76ers’ GM Bryan Colangelo was discovered to be running five burner Twitter accounts, which did various things that a GM shouldn’t be doing, like disclosing players’ medical information and ripping his predecessor.

12) 76ers put out a statement saying they’re investigating the whole thing.

Joel Embiid said “I talked to him and he said that he didn’t say that. He called me just to deny the story. Gotta believe him until proven otherwise. If true though, that would be really bad.”

One thing no one in Philly wants to do is tick off Embiid.

11) There are 30 teams in the NBA- their draft is two rounds, so that is 60 guys who will get drafted in late June.

Last I heard, 77 kids have bolted college early for the NBA; when you add in foreign players and international players, going to be lot of disappointed kids after the draft. G-League draft will have lot of recognizable names in it.

10) Cleveland Browns’ DB Demarious Randall tweeted this week that if the Cavaliers beat Golden State in the NBA Finals, he would buy everyone who re-tweeted his tweet a Cavaliers’ jersey (they cost around $100).

Well, 831,404 re-tweeted his tweet, and since Randall doesn’t make anywhere near $9M a year, he had to use the “obviously it was a joke” line, referring to his offer to buy lot of jerseys.

9) Did some research this week; looking at which umpires call the highest %age of strikes, Here is part of what I found. Most every umpire is somewhere around 17%.

Highest %age of strikes called (for starting P’s only):
Culbreth 20.8%, Greg Gibson 20.6%, Nelson 19.9%, Lentz 19.5%

8) Lowest %age of strikes called (for starting P’s only):
Reynolds 14.4%, Woodring 14.9%, Bucknor 15.4%, Welke 16.0%

7) Duke, Northwestern, Purdue are leading the race for Clemson transfer QB Hunter Johnson, who has to sit this season out, but then will have three years to play. Johnson was rated asthe #2 pro-style passer in the 2017 recruiting class

6) Cubs scored 8+ runs in seven of Jon Lester’s 11 starts.

5) Dodgers put P Kenta Maeda (hip strain) on DL.
Phillies put LF Rhys Hoskins (jaw) on DL.

4) Washington 3, Vegas 2— This is just third time since 2005 that Stanley Cup finals are tied 1-1.

3) Nevada Wolf Pack got very good news Wednesday, as the Martin twins are coming back to Reno to play another year of ball, which makes the Wolf Pack a top 20 team.

2) The baseball commissioner hinted this week that calling balls/strikes via automation isn’t impossible in the future. Does this guy even like baseball? Why would this be a good idea?

Having humans call balls/strikes is as important as having humans play the game.

Call me paranoid, but if my favorite team the A’s was playing New York in the ALCS, with the big money TV ratings for the World Series at stake, do you think I’d be trusting that someone wasn’t rigging the automated umpire to favor New York? You bet your ass I’d think that.

1) If you want a laugh, find the front page of today’s New York Post. It has a picture of two people sitting in the Oval Office, after their discussion about prison reform. I’m not going to say anything else about it, other than you can find the picture on Twitter or the Post’s website.

Read the captions above the picture; classic New York Post stuff.

**Udog** · 05-31-2018, 09:16 AM

NBA Finals Game 1 betting preview and odds: Cavaliers at Warriors

Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors (-12.5, 214.5)

Series tied 0-0.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals for the fourth straight game and the series begins Thursday night in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors won two of the first three meetings and the latest matchup will likely begin with Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (concussion) sitting out.

Cleveland star LeBron James doesn't understand why there is complaining that the two teams are one again sharing the Finals' stage. "Teams have had their opportunities to beat the Cavs over the last four years, and teams have had the opportunities to beat the Warriors over the last four years," James said at his Wednesday press conference. "If you want to see somebody else in the postseason, then you got to beat them." There also has been a lot of chatter about how James lacks a supporting case - an odd notion for a team that is in the NBA Finals and one Warriors coach Steve Kerr doesn't prescribe to in the least. "You don't get to The Finals with one man, no matter how good that one man is," Kerr said at his press conference. "So we have great respect for the Cavs, their resiliency. The fact that they're here four years in a row - we know exactly how hard that is. So we're preparing for a lot more than just LeBron, that's for sure."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ABC

LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened as 11.5-point home favorites when the odds were first released Monday night and as of Wednesday night that number is up to -12.5. The total hit betting boards at 216 and has been dropped to 214.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Cavaliers - C K. Love (Questionable, Concussion).

Warriors - PF D. Green (Probable, Ankle), SF A. Iguodala (Out, Leg), SF C. Boucher (Out Indefinitely, Ankle).

MATCHUP CHART:

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (62-38 SU, 40-59-1 ATS, 46-52-2 O/U): Love suffered a concussion in Friday's Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics and has yet to pass the protocol and coach Tyronn Lue doesn't know if he will be available. Love, a five-time All-Star, was seen on the practice floor Wednesday and Lue did indicate that Love will start the contest if he is cleared to play. Love's presence would alleviate some pressure off James, who is averaging 34 points, 9.2 rebounds and 8.8 assists in a stellar postseason.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (70-29 SU, 43-55-1 ATS, 44-54-1 O/U): Veteran defensive stopper Andre Iguodala (left leg) will miss his fifth consecutive contest, leaving Golden State without a player who typically shadows James. "Well, he was MVP of the series in 2015, largely because he took that role on of guarding LeBron, but also because of what he did offensively," Kerr told reporters in reference to Iguodala's importance. "He's doing a little bit better. Some encouraging signs, but we have ruled him out for Game 1." Kerr did the duty of guarding James will be spread among at least four players - forwards Kevin Durant and Draymond Green and guards Klay Thompson and Shaun Livingston.

TRENDS:

* Cavaliers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Pacific.
* Warriors are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
* Under is 4-0 in Cavaliers' last 4 road games.
* Under is 5-0 in Warriors' last 5 overall.
* Under is 8-2-2 in the last 12 meetings in Golden State.

CONSENSUS: 53 percent of pointspread bets are on the underdog Cleveland Cavaliers while 59 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.

**Udog** · 05-31-2018, 09:17 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Thursday, May 31

Cleveland @ Golden State

Game 501-502
May 31, 2018 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
123.624
Golden State
131.785
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 8
220
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 12 1/2
214
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(+12 1/2); Over

NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, May 31

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CLEVELAND (62 - 38) at GOLDEN STATE (70 - 29) - 5/31/2018, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 40-58 ATS (-23.8 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) against Pacific division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 24-40 ATS (-20.0 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 65-43 ATS (+17.7 Units) in all playoff games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 67-41 ATS (+21.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 42-54 ATS (-17.4 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 40-48 ATS (-12.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 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 10-8 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 12-6 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, May 31

Warriors-Cavaliers meet in Finals for 4th year in row; Golden State won seven of last eight series games (6-2 vs spread). Cleveland is 1-4 vs spread in its last five visits to Oakland. Over is 4-2 in last six series games. Both teams won last series in seven games; Golden State split its last six games; under is 9-1 in their last ten games. Off days since western final give Curry/Thompson time to rest their injuries. Cavaliers won four of last five games after going down 2-0 to Boston; under is 5-2 in their last seven games. Iguodala has been ruled out for the Warriors.

NBA

Thursday, May 31

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Trend Report
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games on the road
Cleveland is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Golden State
Cleveland is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Golden State
Cleveland is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Cleveland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 10 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games
Golden State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games at home
Golden State is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland
Golden State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Golden State is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Golden State's last 10 games when playing at home against Cleveland

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**Udog** · 05-31-2018, 09:21 AM

WNBA
Dunkel

Thursday, May 31

Las Vegas @ Seattle

Game 611-612
May 31, 2018 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Las Vegas
102.686
Seattle
111.160
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 8 1/2
166
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
by 12 1/2
162 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Las Vegas
(+12 1/2); Over

WNBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, May 31

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LAS VEGAS (0 - 3) at SEATTLE (4 - 1) - 5/31/2018, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 121-84 ATS (+28.6 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1997.
SEATTLE is 61-40 ATS (+17.0 Units) in home games after a non-conference game since 1997.
LAS VEGAS is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 to 15 points over the last 3 seasons.
LAS VEGAS is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 to 18 points over the last 3 seasons.
LAS VEGAS is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 or more points over the last 3 seasons.
LAS VEGAS is 77-52 ATS (+19.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 since 1997.
SEATTLE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) on Thursday over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 5-3 against the spread versus LAS VEGAS over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 6-2 straight up against LAS VEGAS 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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WNBA

Thursday, May 31

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Trend Report
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Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Las Vegas's last 6 games
Las Vegas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Las Vegas is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Las Vegas is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Seattle
Las Vegas is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Las Vegas's last 6 games when playing Seattle
Las Vegas is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Las Vegas is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Seattle Storm
Seattle is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games
Seattle is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Seattle is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Seattle's last 9 games at home
Seattle is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Las Vegas
Seattle is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Las Vegas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing Las Vegas
Seattle is 13-4 ATS in its last 17 games when playing at home against Las Vegas
Seattle is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Las Vegas

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Announcement

Thursday's NBA and WNBA Trends and Indexes - 5/31

Thursday's NBA and WNBA Trends and Indexes - 5/31

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