The Bum's 2018 NBA Trends/Stats/Best Bets Thru The Playoffs !

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY APRIL 10, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:05 PM Chicago Bulls Philadelphia 76ers Wells Fargo Center
8:05 PM Dallas Mavericks San Antonio Spurs AT&T Center
8:05 PM Detroit Pistons New York Knicks Madison Square Garden
8:05 PM Golden State Warriors Memphis Grizzlies FedExForum
8:05 PM Indiana Pacers Atlanta Hawks State Farm Arena
8:05 PM Miami Heat Brooklyn Nets Barclays Center
8:05 PM Oklahoma City Thunder Milwaukee Bucks Fiserv Forum
8:05 PM Orlando Magic Charlotte Hornets Spectrum Center
10:35 PM Minnesota Timberwolves Denver Nuggets Pepsi Center
10:35 PM Sacramento Kings Portland Trail Blazers Moda Center at the Rose Quarter
10:35 PM Utah Jazz Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center


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NBA APRIL RECORD OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

04/09/2019 10-11-1 47.62% -10.50
04/07/2019 11-16-1 40.74% -33.00
04/05/2019 9-15-1 37.50% -37.50
04/04/2019 5-1-0 83.33% +19.50
04/03/2019 15-9-0 62.50% +25.50
04/02/2019 4-4-0 50.00% -2.00
04/01/2019 8-10-0 44.44% -15.00

Totals..............62-66-2 48.43% -53.00



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BEST BETS:

DATE........................ATS................... ..UNITS..................O/U..................UNITS.............TOTALS

04/09/2019..............5 - 7....................+14.00.................1 - 7................-33.50..............-19.50
04/07/2019..............4 - 4....................-2.00....................4 - 7................-18.50..............-20.50
04/05/2019..............3 - 5....................-12.50..................4 - 4.................-2.00...............-14.50
04/04/2019..............3 - 0....................+15.00.................2 - 1.................+4.50..............+19.50
04/03/2019..............4 - 1....................+14.50.................7 - 3.................+18.50............+33.00
04/02/2019..............1 - 1.....................-0.50...................2 - 2.................-1.00...............-1.50
04/01/2019..............2 - 2.....................-1.00...................5 - 3.................+8.50..............+7.50

Totals.....................22 - 20.................+27.50................25 - 27..............-23.50..............+4.00

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s 6-pack

More very early over/under NFL win totals:

— Raiders 6, over +$120

— Eagles 9.5

— Steelers 9, under -$115

— 49ers 8, under -$115

— Seattle 8.5, over -$120

— Tampa Bay 6, over -$120

Quote of the Day
“The past four years at St. John’s University have been one of the most thrilling and challenging points of my career. I am proud of our accomplishments. NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday will be a lifetime memory. I am forever grateful to St. John’s for giving me the opportunity to hear Carnesecca Arena and Madison Square Garden roar again for college basketball and especially for our players.”
Chris Mullin

Wednesday’s quiz
Who was the Lakers’ coach the last time they made the playoffs?

Tuesday’s quiz
Kansas beat Memphis 75-68 in OT in the 2008 national title game.

Monday’s quiz
Nick Saban was head coach at Michigan State before LSU, the Dolphins and Alabama; his QB in East Lansing was Tony Banks.

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Wednesday’s List of 13: Mid-week musings……

13) Magic Johnson abruptly stepped down Tuesday night as president of the Lakers.

NBA continues to get stranger by the day. Doesn’t seem like there are a lot of happy people there. League is profitable, lot of folks getting rich. You’d think they’d be happier.

12) UCLA ended its 100-day coaching search by hiring Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin, who will get $24M for six years. Cronin made the NCAA’s the last nine years with the Bearcats, but made Sweet 16 only one time, and has never been in an Elite 8.

Cronin was at Cincinnati for 13 years; his record in NCAA games there? 6-9. They got turned down by Rick Barnes and Jamie Dixon, neither of whom will get confused with John Wooden. I’m guessing the fanbase won’t be thrilled.

11) On the other hand, where does Cincinnati turn now? They just upgraded their facilities, and have a pretty impressive history of winning. AAC is an improving league; this is a good job for somebody. Question is whats the better open job, Cincinnati or St John’s?

10) Avery Johnson, Chris Mullin, Mike Dunleavy all coached in the NBA, all got told to take a hike this spring by colleges that employed them. Recruiting is a grind, and no one wins without really good players. Guys who worked in the NBA aren’t always thrilled by the seemingly endless treadmill that recruiting can be.

9) When they announced the 2019 inductees for the Naismith Hall of Fame this weekend, part of me was surprised that Zion Williamson wasn’t inducted; if you listen to ESPN, he’s the greatest college ballplayer since Bill Walton. ESPN”s #1 goal is promoting the NBA, and thats where Williamson will be for the next 12-15 years.

8) One thing you never want to see, Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore posting a map of your hometown on Twitter, with the accompanying radar of an approaching storm. Not good.

7) Pirates’ P Chris Archer got suspended for five games after starting Sunday’s fracas with the Reds, but he didn’t get thrown out of that game after he threw behind Derek Dietrich.

6) Baseball injuries:
— Cleveland put P Mike Clevinger (back) on the IL.
— Cubs put P Jon Lester (hamstring) on the IL.
— Colorado put P Tyler Anderson (knee) on the IL.
— Dodgers put Hyun-Jin Ryu (leg) on the IL.
— Luis Severino went back to New York for another MRI on his shoulder.

5) Cincinnati Reds/St Louis Cardinals are playing two games in Monterrey, Mexico this weekend, bit of an unusual schedule.

4) Virginia won its six NCAA tournament games by a total of 45 points, 2nd-lowest total for a champion in the shot clock era. 1997 Arizona Wildcats won their six games by total of 32 points. ’97 UConn Huskies won their six games by total of 47.

3) From 2015-17, 18 baseball teams won 10+ more games than they did the year before; those 18 teams, in the third year, regressed by an average of 4.89 wins per year.

There are five such teams this year: Braves, Brewers, A’s, Phillies, Rays.

2) TV ratings for Monday night’s Virginia-Texas Tech game were 23% higher than last year’s national title game.

1) Since 1989, the Big 14 has won only one national title in basketball, when Michigan State won the championship in 2000 in Indianapolis.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, April 10

Tonight is the last night of the regular season; caution is advised.

Golden State won its last six games (4-2 vs spread); they’re 5-3 vs spread in last eight road games. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Grizzlies split their last eight games, are 1-3 vs spread in last four home games. Over is 8-5 in their last 13 games. Warriors won their last five games with Memphis (4-1 vs spread); they’re 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Tennessee. Five of last seven series games stayed under.

Oklahoma City won its last three games; they’re 3-7-1 vs spread in last 11 road games. Seven of their last nine games stayed under the total. Bucks won seven of their last nine games, are 7-3 vs spread in last 10 home games. Five of their last six games went over. Thunder won six of last eight games with Milwaukee; eight of last ten series games stayed under the total. OKC is 2-2 vs spread in its last four visits to Wisconsin.

Mavericks won four of their last six games; they’re 7-1 vs spread in last eight road games. Last three Dallas games went over. San Antonio won three of its last four games; they’re 0-4 vs spread in last four home games. Under is 15-5 in their last 20 games. Spurs won seven of last eight games with Dallas; four of last five series games stayed under. Mavericks covered their last four visits to the Alamo.

Bulls lost seven of their last eight road games, are 4-2 vs spread in last six road games. Under is 6-4-1 in their last 11 games. Philly lost four of its last five games, with four of those games going over. 76ers are 3-5-2 vs spread in their last ten home games. 76ers won four of last five games with Chicago; Bulls are 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Philly- three of those games stayed under the total.

Magic won 10 of its last 12 games; they’re 4-2 vs spread in last six road games. Orlando’s last six games went over the total. Charlotte won four in row, 8 of last 11 games; they covered their last four home games. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Hornets won nine of last ten games with Orlando; three of last four series games went over. Magic is 0-4 vs spread in their last four visits to Tobacco Road.

Atlanta lost three of its last four games; they’re 9-2 vs spread in last 11 road games. Six of their last nine games went over. Indiana lost nine of its last 12 games; they’re 1-3 vs spread in last four home games. Pacers’ last three games stayed under the total. Pacers won eight of last nine games with the Hawks; they covered three of their last four visits to Indiana. Eight of last ten series games stayed under.

Heat lost four of their last five games, are 9-3 vs spread in last 12 road games. four of their last five games went over. Brooklyn is 4-7 in its last 11 games; they’re 3-7 vs spread in last ten home games. 11 of their last 16 games stayed under the total. Nets won four of last six games with Miami; eight of last ten series games stayed under. Heat covered four of last five visits to Brooklyn.

Pistons lost four of their last five games, are 4-2 vs spread in last six road games. Four of their last six games stayed under the total. New York is 3-2 in its last five games; they’re 3-5 vs spread in last eight home games. Under is 4-2-1 in their last seven games. Detroit won its last six games with the Knicks (4-2 vs spread); they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Manhattan. Five of last six series games went over.

Timberwolves lost 10 of their last 14 games, are 2-8 vs spread in last ten road games. Last five Minnesota road games stayed under. Nuggets lost four of their last six games, are 2-4 vs spread in last six home games. Last three Denver games went over. Denver won/covered its last three games with Minnesota; under is 6-4 in last ten series games. Wolves covered four of last five visits to Denver.

Kings lost five of their last seven games, are 2-4 vs spread in last six road games. Four of their last six games stayed under. Trailblazers won 10 of their last 12 games, are 3-5 vs spread in last eight home games. Over is 6-4-1 in their last 11 games. Portland won four of last five games with Sacramento; five of last seven series games stayed under. Kings are 1-2-1 vs spread in last four visits to Oregon.

Utah won eight of its last nine games; they’re 5-2 vs spread in last seven road games. Six of their last nine games stayed under. Clippers lost their last three games, are 3-5 vs spread in last eight home games. Over is 9-2-1 in their last dozen games. Jazz won their last five games with the Clippers (4-1 vs spread); they’re 4-1 vs spread in last four series games played here. Four of last five series games went over. This is also the last regular season game for Clippers’ longtime TV voice, the great Ralph Lawler.

[StarDust Bum]

523Golden State -524 Memphis
GOLDEN STATE is 136-98 ATS (28.2 Units) in April games since 1996.

525Oklahoma City -526 Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE is 22-8 ATS (13.2 Units) after a game where they failed to cover the spread in the current season.

527Dallas -528 San Antonio
DALLAS are 332-258 ATS (48.2 Units) as a road underdog since 1996.

529Chicago -530 Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA is 51-28 ATS (20.2 Units) when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days in the last 3 seasons.

531Orlando -532 Charlotte
CHARLOTTE is 29-48 ATS (-23.8 Units) revenging a road loss vs opponent in the last 3 seasons.

533Indiana -534 Atlanta
ATLANTA is 14-5 ATS (8.5 Units) versus good shooting teams - making >=46% of their shots - 2nd half of the season in the current season.

535Miami -536 Brooklyn
MIAMI is 13-3 ATS (9.7 Units) in road games versus terrible defensive teams - allowing 110+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

539Minnesota -540 Denver
DENVER is 11-3 ATS (7.7 Units) vs. division opponents in the current season.

543Utah -544 La Clippers
UTAH is 13-2 ATS (10.8 Units) in road games versus good shooting teams - making >=46% of their shots - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Wednesday, April 10

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Trend Report
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Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is 8-17 ATS in its last 25 games
Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Oklahoma City is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Oklahoma City is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Milwaukee is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 6 games
Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Milwaukee is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Milwaukee is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Milwaukee is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Milwaukee is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City

Orlando Magic
Orlando is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Orlando is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 5 games
Orlando is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Orlando is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games on the road
Orlando is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Charlotte
Orlando is 1-13 SU in its last 14 games when playing Charlotte
Orlando is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
Orlando is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Charlotte is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Charlotte's last 6 games
Charlotte is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Charlotte is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Charlotte is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Orlando
Charlotte is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing Orlando
Charlotte is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando
Charlotte is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando

Miami Heat
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games
Miami is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games on the road
Miami is 13-5 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Brooklyn
Miami is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Brooklyn
Miami is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games when playing Brooklyn
Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Miami's last 11 games when playing Brooklyn
Miami is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
Miami is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
Brooklyn is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Brooklyn's last 6 games at home
Brooklyn is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami
Brooklyn is 5-13 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Miami
Brooklyn is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Miami
Brooklyn is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Brooklyn's last 11 games when playing Miami
Brooklyn is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Miami
Brooklyn is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 5 games when playing at home against Miami

Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Golden State's last 10 games on the road
Golden State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Golden State's last 23 games when playing Memphis
Golden State is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Golden State's last 12 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Memphis's last 13 games
Memphis is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games at home
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Memphis's last 23 games when playing Golden State
Memphis is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Memphis's last 12 games when playing at home against Golden State

Indiana Pacers
Indiana is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games
Indiana is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
Indiana is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indiana's last 10 games on the road
Indiana is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Atlanta
Indiana is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Indiana's last 12 games when playing Atlanta
Indiana is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 9 games
Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games at home
Atlanta is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Indiana
Atlanta is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Atlanta's last 12 games when playing Indiana
Atlanta is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Indiana

Detroit Pistons
Detroit is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games
Detroit is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games on the road
Detroit is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New York
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing New York
Detroit is 6-15 ATS in its last 21 games when playing on the road against New York
Detroit is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against New York
New York Knicks
New York is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
New York is 4-16 SU in its last 20 games
New York is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
New York is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 6 games at home
New York is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing Detroit
New York is 15-6 ATS in its last 21 games when playing at home against Detroit
New York is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Detroit

Chicago Bulls
Chicago is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Chicago is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Chicago is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games on the road
Chicago is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Chicago is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games when playing Philadelphia
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Chicago's last 17 games when playing Philadelphia
Chicago is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chicago's last 11 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Philadelphia is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Philadelphia's last 17 games when playing Chicago
Philadelphia is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Philadelphia's last 11 games when playing at home against Chicago

Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Dallas is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
Dallas is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Dallas is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing San Antonio
Dallas is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Dallas is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Dallas is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
San Antonio is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
San Antonio is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of San Antonio's last 12 games at home
San Antonio is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Dallas
San Antonio is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing Dallas
San Antonio is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
San Antonio is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas

Utah Jazz
Utah is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games
Utah is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Utah is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
Utah is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
Utah is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
Utah is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
LA Clippers is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
LA Clippers is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games
LA Clippers is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Clippers's last 8 games
LA Clippers is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Clippers's last 7 games at home
LA Clippers is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Utah
LA Clippers is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Utah
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Clippers's last 5 games when playing Utah
LA Clippers is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Utah
LA Clippers is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Utah

Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is 7-14 ATS in its last 21 games
Minnesota is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games
Minnesota is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Denver
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 12 games when playing Denver
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
Minnesota is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver Nuggets
Denver is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Denver's last 24 games
Denver is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Denver is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 6 games at home
Denver is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Denver's last 12 games when playing Minnesota
Denver is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Denver is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games when playing at home against Minnesota

Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Sacramento is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 6 games
Sacramento is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Sacramento is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 6 games on the road
Sacramento is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Portland
Sacramento is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 7 games when playing Portland
Sacramento is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Portland
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Sacramento's last 18 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Portland is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
Portland is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Portland's last 15 games at home
Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 7 games when playing Sacramento
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Portland's last 18 games when playing at home against Sacramento

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, April 10

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GOLDEN STATE (57 - 24) at MEMPHIS (32 - 49) - 4/10/2019, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 35-45 ATS (-14.5 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 31-42 ATS (-15.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 27-40 ATS (-17.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 136-99 ATS (+27.1 Units) in April games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 6-4 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 7-3 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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OKLAHOMA CITY (48 - 33) at MILWAUKEE (60 - 21) - 4/10/2019, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 55-75 ATS (-27.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 47-31 ATS (+12.9 Units) in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 40-28 ATS (+9.2 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 this season.
MILWAUKEE is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
MILWAUKEE is 37-26 ATS (+8.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 36-24 ATS (+9.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 426-493 ATS (-116.3 Units) in home games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 397-472 ATS (-122.2 Units) in the second half of the season since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 137-174 ATS (-54.4 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 211-257 ATS (-71.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DALLAS (33 - 48) at SAN ANTONIO (47 - 34) - 4/10/2019, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 1090-955 ATS (+39.5 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 860-734 ATS (+52.6 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 51-31 ATS (+16.9 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-8 ATS (+13.2 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 224-168 ATS (+39.2 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 441-361 ATS (+43.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 33-23 ATS (+7.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 45-34 ATS (+7.6 Units) in all games this season.
DALLAS is 30-20 ATS (+8.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
DALLAS is 524-442 ATS (+37.8 Units) in road games since 1996.
DALLAS is 259-212 ATS (+25.8 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
DALLAS is 31-20 ATS (+9.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
DALLAS is 55-34 ATS (+17.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 38-25 ATS (+10.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 38-28 ATS (+7.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 8-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 9-2 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO (22 - 59) at PHILADELPHIA (50 - 31) - 4/10/2019, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 35-44 ATS (-13.4 Units) in all games this season.
CHICAGO is 25-34 ATS (-12.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
CHICAGO is 25-37 ATS (-15.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
CHICAGO is 21-33 ATS (-15.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 26-35 ATS (-12.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 139-115 ATS (+12.5 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 50-35 ATS (+11.5 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 37-19 ATS (+16.1 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 6-4 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 5-5 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORLANDO (41 - 40) at CHARLOTTE (39 - 42) - 4/10/2019, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
ORLANDO is 78-108 ATS (-40.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
ORLANDO is 43-35 ATS (+4.5 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 35-26 ATS (+6.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
ORLANDO is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
CHARLOTTE is 38-51 ATS (-18.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 9-2 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 10-1 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INDIANA (47 - 34) at ATLANTA (29 - 52) - 4/10/2019, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
ATLANTA is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
INDIANA is 91-77 ATS (+6.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 49-35 ATS (+10.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 6-4 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 8-2 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIAMI (39 - 42) at BROOKLYN (41 - 40) - 4/10/2019, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 90-72 ATS (+10.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 31-16 ATS (+13.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BROOKLYN is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) off an upset win as an underdog this season.
MIAMI is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) as an underdog this season.
MIAMI is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road games this season.
MIAMI is 30-16 ATS (+12.4 Units) in road games in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 27-11 ATS (+14.9 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 22-8 ATS (+13.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
MIAMI is 32-17 ATS (+13.3 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in home games in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 6-4 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 6-4 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETROIT (40 - 41) at NEW YORK (17 - 64) - 4/10/2019, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 33-46 ATS (-17.6 Units) in all games this season.
NEW YORK is 29-40 ATS (-15.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
NEW YORK is 14-24 ATS (-12.4 Units) in home games this season.
NEW YORK is 10-20 ATS (-12.0 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
NEW YORK is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NEW YORK is 24-40 ATS (-20.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
NEW YORK is 24-36 ATS (-15.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-4 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 8-2 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (36 - 45) at DENVER (53 - 28) - 4/10/2019, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 52-71 ATS (-26.1 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) in road games in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in road games after allowing 115 points or more this season.
MINNESOTA is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) in home games this season.
DENVER is 43-72 ATS (-36.2 Units) in home games when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 6-5 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 6-5 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SACRAMENTO (39 - 42) at PORTLAND (52 - 29) - 4/10/2019, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 89-71 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 30-20 ATS (+8.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
PORTLAND is 46-33 ATS (+9.7 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 43-26 ATS (+14.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PORTLAND is 42-27 ATS (+12.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 45-35 ATS (+6.5 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 42-32 ATS (+6.8 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 this season.
SACRAMENTO is 36-27 ATS (+6.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 4-4 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 6-3 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UTAH (50 - 31) at LA CLIPPERS (47 - 34) - 4/10/2019, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 45-35 ATS (+6.5 Units) in all games this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 55-42 ATS (+8.8 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 29-13 ATS (+14.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 60-43 ATS (+12.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 25-11 ATS (+12.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 39-27 ATS (+9.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
UTAH is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
UTAH is 64-50 ATS (+9.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 38-22 ATS (+13.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 176-219 ATS (-64.9 Units) in home games in the second half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 234-287 ATS (-81.7 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 229-289 ATS (-88.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 10-7 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 10-7 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, April 10


Indiana @ Atlanta

Game 533-534
April 10, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
115.568
Atlanta
116.789
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 1
221
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 1 1/2
225
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+1 1/2); Under

Miami @ Brooklyn

Game 535-536
April 10, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
115.778
Brooklyn
122.984
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Brooklyn
by 7
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Brooklyn
by 3 1/2
218 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Brooklyn
(-3 1/2); Under

Orlando @ Charlotte

Game 531-532
April 10, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Orlando
124.444
Charlotte
119.294
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 5
226
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Charlotte
by 1 1/2
223 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(+1 1/2); Over

Detroit @ New York

Game 537-538
April 10, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
119.468
New York
103.904
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 15 1/2
215
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
by 9 1/2
209 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(-9 1/2); Over

Chicago @ Philadelphia

Game 529-530
April 10, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
108.280
Philadelphia
113.299
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 5
233
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
by 9
224 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+9); Over

Golden State @ Memphis

Game 523-524
April 10, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
125.106
Memphis
113.342
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 12
213
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 7 1/2
221 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-7 1/2); Under

Oklahoma City @ Milwaukee

Game 525-526
April 10, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
127.986
Milwaukee
121.404
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 6 1/2
232
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 5
227 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(-5); Over

Dallas @ San Antonio

Game 527-528
April 10, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
116.559
San Antonio
118.628
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 2
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 13 1/2
218 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(+13 1/2); Under

Minnesota @ Denver

Game 539-540
April 10, 2019 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
114.396
Denver
130.922
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Denver
by 16 1/2
215
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Denver
by 11
220 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Denver
(-11); Under

Utah @ LA Clippers

Game 543-544
April 10, 2019 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
126.281
LA Clippers
116.284
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 10
231
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
by 6 1/2
228
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(+6 1/2); Over

Sacramento @ Portland

Game 541-542
April 10, 2019 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
117.736
Portland
129.316
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Portland
by 11 1/2
235
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 8
230 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(-8); Over

[StarDust Bum]

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIA at BK 08:00 PM
MIA +5.5
U 219.5

DET at NY 08:00 PM
NY +9.5
U 207.5

IND at ATL 08:00 PM
ATL -2.0
O 225.0

ORL at CHA 08:00 PM
CHA -4.0
U 219.5

OKC at MIL 08:00 PM
OKC -4.5
U 228.5

DAL at SA 08:00 PM
DAL +14.0
U 220.5

CHI at PHI 08:00 PM
PHI -6.5
U 219.5

GS at MEM 08:00 PM
GS -4.5
U 215.0

SAC at POR 10:30 PM
POR -8.5
O 229.5

MIN at DEN 10:30 PM
MIN +11.5
O 218.5

UTA at LAC 10:30 PM
LAC -6.5
U 225.0

[Udog]

Hoop Trends - Wednesday
Vince Akins

ATS Play ON Trend of the Day:

-- The 76ers are 12-0 ATS (+7.79 ppg) at home off a game as a dog in which they scored more than 50 points in the paint.

ATS Play AGAINST Trend of the Day:

-- The Clippers are 0-11 ATS (-12.91 ppg) with more than one day of rest off a loss as a road dog when they lost at least two straight vs their opponent.

OU Play OVER Trend of the Day:

-- The Pacers are 14-0 OU (+18.25 ppg) on the road with more than one day of rest off a 10+ loss when their opponent is seeking same-season revenge for a loss on the road.

OU Play UNDER Trend of the Day:

-- The Nuggets are 0-13 OU (-14.58 ppg) at home with less than two days rest off a road game when their opponent is seeking same-season revenge for a loss on the road.

[StarDust Bum]

Pistons top Knicks 115-89, clinch final playoff spot in East
April 10, 2019
By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) Luke Kennard scored 27 points, Reggie Jackson had 21 and Andre Drummond added 20 points and 18 rebounds as the Detroit Pistons locked up the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot with a 115-89 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

The Pistons will face the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the opening round.

Jackson scored 14 points and Drummond had 10 points and seven rebounds in the first quarter as the Pistons never trailed and led by as many as 16 points. Neither Jackson nor Drummond played in the fourth quarter.

Wayne Ellington added 12 points for the Pistons, who hadn't made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season, the last time they finished over .500 (44-38). Before, Detroit hadn't made the postseason since 2008-09.

John Jenkins led the Knicks with 16 points, and Kadeem Allen added 13. Henry Ellenson scored 12 points, and Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hicks each had 11.

NUGGETS 99, TIMBERWOLVES 95

DENVER (AP) - Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 14 rebounds and had a key strip in the closing seconds as Denver scored the game's final 15 points and secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

James Murray added 17 for the Nuggets, who are in the postseason for the first time in six years and will face seventh-seeded San Antonio.

Gorgui Dieng added 18 points for the Timberwolves backups and rookie Cameron Reynolds scored a career-best 17 points, including a 3-pointer that put Minnesota ahead 95-84 with 4:01 left.

TRAIL BLAZERS 136, KINGS 131

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Rookie Anfernee Simons scored a career-high 37 points in his first start of the season and Portland secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference using just six players in a win over Sacramento.

The Blazers have won 14 of 17 games en route to their sixth straight trip to the playoffs. Portland will open the postseason against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who finished in sixth.

Marvin Bagley III had 20 points to lead the Kings, who lost their 11th straight game in Portland.

CLIPPERS 143, JAZZ 137, OT

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Montrezl Harrell scored 24 points to lead seven players in double figures and the Clippers beat Utah in overtime, snapping a three-game skid to close the regular season.

Ivica Zubac added 22 points and 11 rebounds and Patrick Beverley had 14 points in his return from injury.

The Clippers' losing streak had already dropped them from the sixth seed to No. 8 in the playoffs, where they'll open against the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

Grayson Allen led Utah with a career-high 40 points. The rookie made 13 of 14 free throws and five 3-pointers, but was limited to four points in overtime.

The Jazz earned the fifth seed and they'll play No. 4 Houston in the first round.

THUNDER 127, BUCKS 116

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Russell Westbrook got his 34th triple-double of the season and Oklahoma City beat Milwaukee to lock up the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Oklahoma City played without injured Paul George, but Westbrook, Jerami Grant and Dennis Schroder led a hot-shooting effort from 3-point range. Westbrook had 15 points, 17 assists and 11 rebounds. He moved into a tie with Magic Johnson for second place on the career triple-double list with 138. Schroder had 32 points, and Grant added a career-best 28.

The Bucks had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and rested star Giannis Antetokounmpo and some other key players.

Khris Middleton scored 21 points in 17 minutes. Tim Frazier scored a career-high 29 points and D.J. Wilson added a career-high 18 while grabbing 17 rebounds. Rookie Bonzie Colson started and scored 21 points.

MAGIC 122, HORNETS 114

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Kemba Walker scored 43 points in what may be his final game with Charlotte, a loss to Orlando that eliminated the Hornets from playoff contention.

Terrence Ross scored a season-high 35 points, Aaron Gordon added 27 and the Magic clinched the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and will face the Toronto Raptors in the first round.

Aside from Walker's sharp shooting, nothing went right for Charlotte on the final night of the regular season. The loss also means Tony Parker's string of 17 straight playoff appearances is over.

NETS 113, HEAT 94

NEW YORK (AP) - Dwyane Wade recorded one last triple-double before heading off to retirement, and Brooklyn headed to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs after securing the win and the No. 6 seed.

Wade had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in his final NBA game with close friends LeBron James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony leading the cheers from their courtside seats.

D'Angelo Russell had 21 points on seven 3-pointers for the Nets, who will face the third-seeded 76ers beginning this weekend in their first postseason appearance since 2015.

SPURS 105, MAVERICKS 94

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - LaMarcus Aldridge had 34 points and 16 rebounds and San Antonio beat Dallas in Dirk Nowitzki's final game.

Nowitzki finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the finale of his storied 21-season career - all with the Mavericks.

The Spurs head into the Western Conference playoffs as the No. 7 seed.

DeMar Derozan finished with 19 points and Derrick White added 14 for the Spurs, who finished with a 49-34 record.

GRIZZLIES 132, WARRIORS 117

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Jevon Carter scored a career-high 32 points, Justin Holiday added 22 and Memphis beat Golden State in the teams' regular-season finale.

Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 21 points, while Klay Thompson finished with 19. Durant and Thompson, who sat out Tuesday's win at New Orleans, were the only Golden State starters to play. Both saw action only in the first half.

Golden State entered the game with its playoff position set atop of the Western Conference and sat most of its stars.

Carter, a rookie from West Virginia who was averaging 3.7 points, was 10 of 18 from the field and 8 of 12 from 3-point range. Memphis was helped by 21-of-46 shooting from 3-point range.

Bruno Caboclo scored 21 points, and Delon Wright recorded his third triple-double in the last four games with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

76ERS 125, BULLS 109

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Jonathon Simmons scored 20 points to lead Philadelphia over Chicago in the regular-season finale for both teams.

In preparation for the playoffs, the 76ers rested all five starters, and star center Joel Embiid's status for the opener is in question. The third-seeded Sixers said the 7-foot center's achy left knee may prevent him from playing in the postseason opener this weekend against sixth-seeded Brooklyn.

Walt Lemon Jr. scored 20 points to lead the Bulls, who were without Denzel Valentine, Wendell Carter Jr., Chandler Hutchison, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr. and Kris Dunn.

PACERS 135, HAWKS 134

ATLANTA (AP) - Edmond Sumner sank three free throws with three-tenths of a second remaining, lifting playoff-bound Indiana past Atlanta.

Taurean Prince's 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining gave Atlanta the lead, but DeAndre Bembry's foul on Sumner's last-second 3-point attempt changed the game.

TJ Leaf set career highs with 28 points and 10 rebounds for Indiana.

Tyreke Evans scored 27 points and Sumner had 22 as the Pacers won despite resting most of their top scorers.

Prince and Trae Young each scored 23 points for Atlanta. John Collins scored 20 points and set a career high with 25 rebounds.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA APRIL RECORD OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

04/10/2019 9-13-0 40.91% -26.50
04/09/2019 10-11-1 47.62% -10.50
04/07/2019 11-16-1 40.74% -33.00
04/05/2019 9-15-1 37.50% -37.50
04/04/2019 5-1-0 83.33% +19.50
04/03/2019 15-9-0 62.50% +25.50
04/02/2019 4-4-0 50.00% -2.00
04/01/2019 8-10-0 44.44% -15.00

Totals..............71-79-2 47.33% -79.50



******************************


BEST BETS:

DATE........................ATS................... ..UNITS..................O/U..................UNITS.............TOTALS

04/10/2019..............3 - 5....................-12.50..................3 - 7................-23.50..............-36.00
04/09/2019..............5 - 7....................+14.00.................1 - 7................-33.50..............-19.50
04/07/2019..............4 - 4....................-2.00....................4 - 7................-18.50..............-20.50
04/05/2019..............3 - 5....................-12.50..................4 - 4.................-2.00...............-14.50
04/04/2019..............3 - 0....................+15.00.................2 - 1.................+4.50..............+19.50
04/03/2019..............4 - 1....................+14.50.................7 - 3.................+18.50............+33.00
04/02/2019..............1 - 1.....................-0.50...................2 - 2.................-1.00...............-1.50
04/01/2019..............2 - 2.....................-1.00...................5 - 3.................+8.50..............+7.50

Totals.....................25 - 25.................+15.00................28 - 34..............-47.00...............-32.00

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday’s 6-pack

Odds to win The Masters:

— Rory McIlroy 8-1

— Dustin Johnson 11-1

— Justin Rose 14-1

— Rickie Fowler 15-1

— Jordan Spieth, Eldrick Woods 16-1

— Koepka, Molinari, Rahm, Thomas 20-1

Quote of the Day
“It was a relief at first, like OK, that’s over with, pulling the trigger on retiring, But the closer to spring it got … I know it’s just a game, but it’s almost like mourning. It was more than a game to us, it was my life since I was a kid. It’s almost like a part of you dies.”
Former big leaguer Will Middlebrooks, talking about retiring

Thursday’s quiz
When was the last time a Canadian franchise won the Stanley Cup?

Wednesday’s quiz
Mike Dunleavy was the Lakers’ coach the last time they made the playoffs, in 2013.

Tuesday’s quiz
Kansas beat Memphis 75-68 in OT in the 2008 national title game.

**********************

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

13) Tampa Bay 9, White Sox 1- Rays are off to a 10-3 start; they scored in top of the first inning in all six games on this road trip. Wondering if they prepare differently than other teams, which allows them to score early in games?

12) A gambler wagered $85,000 at a William Hill sportsbook on Eldrick Woods to win The Masters; if Woods wins, the gambler banks $1.19M.

11) Thinking about the Virginia-Texas Tech game Monday night, and how the total opened at 120 and was quickly bet down to 117. Books cleaned up on that, after the 85-77 final.

10) Next fall St John’s will have their 6th hoop coach in 18 years; located in Queens, you’d think the Red Storm would be good at basketball, but over the last 17 years. St John’s is 106-190 in Big East games. Of their last five coaches, Steve Lavin was by far the best.

Why wouldn’t the people who run the school take a deep breath, count to 10, think of all the money they’re about to make and hire Rick Pitino?

9) Baseball wagering advice; next time Freddy Peralta pitches for the Brewers, check the lineup to see who Milwaukee’s catcher is.

When Manny Pina catches Peralta, as he has 75% of the time, batters hit .165 vs Peralta.

When someone else catches Peralta, teams hit around .300 against him.

This isn’t difficult; I mean, I was lucky to graduate from a state college, but even I know that Peralta is a way better pitcher when Pina is his catcher.

8) Twins’ OF Max Kepler was born in Germany; both his parents were ballet dancers.

Twins were scheduled to fly home after their game at Citi Field last night, but they might not have made it; they were expecting 15 inches of snow in the Twin Cities, so the plane may have had to land in Milwaukee instead.

7) Coaching carousel:
— BYU hired former Utah Valley coach Mark Pope as its new coach.
— Belmont hired Lipscomb coach Casey Alexander, a Belmont alum.

6) I get this phone call Tuesday afternoon, from some company supposedly trying to get me a job, a job I haven’t asked for, nor one that I want.

Politely tell the woman that I’m not interested, but she rattles on and I listen. She asks if I’m an American citizen, I say yes. Then she asks what year I graduated high school. When I tell her, she abruptly ends the call and hangs up. Alrighty then.

Thanks for nothing, lady.

5) Orlando Magic made the NBA playoffs this year for first time in seven years under coach Steve Clifford, who is in his first year with the Magic.

Coaches often lead a nomadic existence; way back in 1994-95, Clifford spent a season as an assistant coach at Siena College, which is four miles from Armadillo World HQ here in beautiful Colonie, NY.

Siena is a small school; they have a good mid-major basketball program, but its a hell of a long way from the NBA. Credit to coach Clifford for making it to and succeeding in the bigtime.

4) Celtics’ Marcus Smart has suffered a torn oblique on his left side and could be sidelined for the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs.

3) Kansas City’s Billy Hamilton scored from second on a long fly ball to centerfield Tuesday night. Hamilton ain’t much of a hitter, but he is a good fielder and is very, very fast.

2) Magic Johnson must’ve been pretty disgusted if he quit without telling Jeannie Buss or Rob Pelinka first; common wisdom seems to be that Johnson didn’t work that hard at the job- he has business interests he deals with, too. Being a team president is a pretty serious job.

He actually said, “Now I can tweet whenever I like” kind of a stunning thing to say.

1) Just because a guy was a great ballplayer doesn’t mean he will be great at other stuff.

Playing.
Coaching.
Being an executive. Three different skill sets.

Great players can be arrogant about thinking they know more about everything than a guy who didn’t play, or didn’t play as well. That simply isn’t true, and it gets proven every year.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s 6-pack

Odds for first round NBA playoff series:
— Clippers +$10,000 vs Golden State -$50,000
— San Antonio +$170 vs Denver -$200
— Oklahoma City -$150 vs Portland +$130
— Utah +$300 vs Houston -$400
— Detroit +$2,000 vs Milwaukee -$10,000
— Orlando +$800 vs Toronto -$1,400
— Brooklyn +$550 vs Philadelphia -$800
— Indiana +$500 vs Boston -$700

Quote of the Day
“Not this toxic, no. Not that affected two teams. And two guys. One (GM) lost his job and the other one resigned from his job. So no, in 31 years I hadn’t had anything that would equal this kind of fallout. No, I haven’t.”
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, talking about the Anthony Davis/Lakers situation

Friday’s quiz
Which major league ballpark has a swimming pool behind the fence in right-center field?

Thursday’s quiz
Last time a Canadian franchise won the Stanley Cup was when Montreal won in 1993.

Wednesday’s quiz
Mike D’Antoni was the Lakers’ coach the last time they made the playoffs, in 2013.

***************************

Friday’s List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here……

13) Baseball season is only 15 days old, and San Diego Padres have already had three starting pitchers (Paddack, Margevicius, Avila) make their major league debuts. None of the three ever pitched at the AAA level, which is very unusual- the three combined to make only eight starts at the AA level, which is revolutionary thinking.

12) Teams/players have exit interviews after each season; if HBO wants to do a good reality show along the lines of Hard Knocks, these interviews would be fun to watch.

No matter what team it is, there are always unhappy players at the end of a season; some of these teams don’t have many happy players. Must be some interesting conversation going on, moreso in basketball/baseball, teams with smaller rosters.

11) I mean, Sacramento Kings just finished a 39-43 season, their best season in 13 years, yet they fired their coach. How do you think that exit interview went?

Lot of politics in NBA coaching circles; the coach tried to win games, people in the front office wanted him to play the younger players more, which would’ve resulted in fewer wins, but maybe more longterm success if the younger players developed faster.

Maybe there’s a reason Sacramento hasn’t had a winning season in over a decade.

10) Southern Miss recently hired a new athletic director, and Thursday basketball coach Doc Sadler quit, probably to become an assistant to Fred Hoiberg at Nebraska.

Sadler was at USM for five years, re-buillding a program that was ravaged by NCAA sanctions. Golden Eagles went 20-13 this year, their best season under Sadler- they started three seniors, so the new coach will have some recruiting to do.

Whats slightly odd is that Sadler was Nebraska’s head coach from 2006-12, when the Huskers moved from the Big X to the Big 14. He was making $360,000 at Southern Miss, will take a pay cut to become an assistant, but probably not a big one.

Just catches your attention when a pretty good head coach quits to become an assistant.

9) If I ran major league baseball, I’d end all blackout policies, would let people use all the highlights from major/minor league games. In short, I’d give the game maximum exposure so that the casual fan/non-fans can see how excellent it is and they’ll develop an interest.

Baseball does the opposite, and I’m guessing there is a financial reason why, but over the long haul, getting younger people invested in the game seems like a smarter business plan.

8) Not really sure why, but ESPN doesn’t have Baseball Tonight anymore, but they have an hour-long NBA show during the day year-round. Baseball needs more exposure.

7) Coaching contract:
— Nevada signed Steve Alford to replace Eric Musselman as coach.

6) Every returning Nevada player has entered the transfer portal, except for two guys who transferred there last year, and aren’t eligible until 2nd semester next season. Alford is going to have to do quick work re-recruiting the returnees, or he’ll have to recruit a whole new team.

Similar thing at LSU, where five players have declared for the NBA Draft; if they fire Will Wade, and it seems likely they will, the new coach is going to be handed a depleted roster.

5) In the bottom of the 5th inning Wednesday night, Mets had seven consecutive batters reach base against Minnesota, without ever hitting a fair ball- six walks and a hit batter, against three different pitchers. All in all, Mets scored six runs in the inning, with two singles.

4) Cubs’ pitcher Jon Lester started his big league career 0-66 at the plate, but since then he’s hit .130 (27-207) to raise his career batting average to .099.

3) Patrick Reed shot a 73 at The Masters Thursday; each of the last eight rounds at The Masters by that year’s defending champ have been over par.

2) Red Sox 7, Blue Jays 6— Last season, Nathan Eovaldi allowed 14 homers in 111 IP. He’s allowed six homers this season in 15 IP. Boston scored twice in 9th for the comeback win; both teams are now 4-9 this season.

1) On February 12, 2016, Milwaukee traded Khris Davis to the A’s, for Jacob Nottingham and Bubba Derby.

Since that trade, Davis has homered 142 times for Oakland. Nottingham is 4-20 in nine major league games, Derby has a 4.16 ERA in 103 minor league games. Pretty good trade for the A’s.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA odds, need-to-know notes and best bets for the Western Conference playoffs
Jason Logan

Bucks and Nuggets are the biggest worry to Vegas bookies when it comes to NBA futures

The NBA Playoffs are here, with games tipping off this Saturday. If you’re betting on the NBA odds this postseason, we’ve got eight need-to-know notes for the eight Western Conference teams vying for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

NO. 1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Season Record: 57-25
ATS Record: 35-46-1
Over/Under Record: 38-44
Odds to win NBA title: -251 at PointsBet
Odds to win West: -371 at PointsBet

At this point in their dynasty, the Warriors care about the regular season as much as Boogie Cousins does for NBA referees. Need evidence?

How about a 110-132-5 record against the spread over the past three regular season campaigns, including a 35-46-1 ATS count this season which tied as the second-worst bet in the league. Granted, the public appeal and talent-rich roster help puff up those nightly spreads.

However, come the playoffs, the Dubs flip the switch. Golden State is 37-25 ATS in the playoffs the past three postseasons, covering almost 60 percent of the time. A little motivation goes a long way with the Warriors, so don’t be afraid to lay the lumber with the defending champs.

NO. 2 DENVER NUGGETS

Season Record: 54-28
ATS Record: 42-40-0
Over/Under Record: 34-47-1
Odds to win NBA title: +3,500 at PointsBet
Odds to win West: +900 at PointsBet

The Nuggets have an edge as the No. 2 seed, earning home-court advantage in the opening two rounds of the NBA Playoffs. That means that opponents not only must battle the rigors of postseason play, but also climb the mountain and play in the thin air and altitude of the Pepsi Center more often than they’d like.

Denver compounds that energy-sapping edge with the best second-half defense in the NBA, allowing only 26.3 points per third quarter and an average of just 24.8 points in the fourth.

Bettors should look to jump on their second-half lines or in-game odds, especially when playing at home deep into a series.

NO. 3 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Season Record: 53-29
ATS Record: 45-36-1
Over/Under Record: 43-37-2
Odds to win NBA title: +8,000 at PointsBet
Odds to win West: +2,500 at PointsBet

The Blazers battled their way to the No. 3 spot in the West, thanks in part to a soft schedule at the end of the season. Portland finished with a 14-3 SU run in its last 17 games but went just 8-8-1 ATS in that span.

Granted, the Trail Blazers were missing C.J. McCollum (who returned before the end of the season) and Jusuf Nurkic (out with a broken leg) for a chunk of that sked (those missing players are factored into the spreads), but faced only six playoff-bound teams during that streak and three of them were from the East (Detroit twice, Brooklyn, and Indiana).

Portland lost and failed to cover the spread in all four meeting with Oklahoma City – its first-round opponent – and is actually a +105 underdog in the series price, with the Thunder coming back as -130 favorites.

NO. 4 HOUSTON ROCKETS

Season Record: 53-29
ATS Record: 40-39-3
Over/Under Record: 39-41-2
Odds to win NBA title: +1,050 at PointsBet
Odds to win West: +600 at PointsBet

The Rockets do plenty right. Houston is 11th in scoring with the most dangerous player in the NBA on its roster – James Harden – capable to taking over any game. On defense, the Rockets allow just over 109 points per game (10th lowest) and rank as the second-best 3-point defense, a huge feather in their cap given today’s bomb-first NBA.

There is one big gap in Houston’s game plan and that’s getting down and dirty in the paint. Unfortunately, the Rockets’ first-round opponents, the Utah Jazz, thrive around the rim. Houston gives up 51.8 points in the paint per game – third most in the NBA – and allow 11 offensive rebounds per contests. Utah is among the best rebounding teams and picks up 47.7 points in the paint per outing – almost 43 percent of its total offense.

Houston is in for a first-round war. It’s a war the Rockets can win, but one that could take its toll and leave them gassed for a deep postseason run.

NO. 5 UTAH JAZZ

Season Record: 50-32
ATS Record: 44-36-2
Over/Under Record: 39-42-1
Odds to win NBA title: +5,000 at PointsBet
Odds to win West: +2,500 at PointsBet

As mentioned above, the Jazz are no strangers to getting their hands dirty. The big question this postseason is will they have enough healthy hands to finish the job. Utah enters the playoffs with a number of players either nursing or recently returning from injury, which is nothing new for a squad that’s rolled out 10 different starting lineups this season.

It’s the backcourt that should be the main concern for Jazz backers. They’ve been without versatile guard Dante Exum for most of 2019, sharp-shooting Kyle Korver is dealing with a bum knee, veteran PG Ricky Rubio has a quadricep issue, backup Raul Neto has a sore ankle, and superstar Donovan Mitchell has recently been treated for back spasms.

Cue the Rockets and their three-head backcourt beast of Harden, Chris Paul and Eric Gordon.

NO. 6 OKLAHOMA CIY THUNDER

Season Record: 49-33
ATS Record: 42-40-0
Over/Under Record: 40-41-1
Odds to win NBA title: +4,000 at PointsBet
Odds to win West: +1,600 at PointsBet

Oklahoma City is the hot “upset” pick in the first round, if you can call being the series price chalk an underdog. Sure, the Thunder are stuck with the sixth seed, but we’re dealing with two of arguably the Top 6 players in the NBA in Paul George and Russell Westbrook – both of which play with massive (and spicy) chips on their shoulder.

The thing you have to know about OKC – or perhaps watch out for – has been the team’s slow starts in recent months. Since the All-Star break, the Thunder have been outscored by an average of 3.6 points per first quarter.

However, OKC knows how to finish, outscoring opponents 28.6 to 25.7 in the fourth quarter during that same span. Bettors should look for value fading the Thunder in the first quarter and first half lines, then keep watch on the live odds for a chance to cash in on those late-game surges.

NO. 7 SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Season Record: 48-34
ATS Record: 43-37-2
Over/Under Record: 43-38-1
Odds to win NBA title: +10,000 at PointsBet
Odds to win West: +3,000 at PointsBet

The old guard of the Western Conference is back in the playoffs for the 22nd straight year. And while bettors may not fear the San Antonio Spurs like they once did, they better as hell respect them. The Spurs were a competitive 7-8 SU and 7-7-1 ATS against the Top 4 seeds in the West this season and are a tough out at home, going 32-9 SU (24-17 ATS) inside the AT&T Center.

This will be the Spurs’ first Kawhi-less playoff run since 2012 and the question on the minds of San Antonio backers is “who will take the shot?” The wild card is the play of DeMar DeRozan, who did well in his first season south of the border. During his time with the Toronto Raptors, DeRozan was counted on to carry the team during the postseason but had plenty of playoff flops and never really looked like the guy who wanted to take the big shot.

DeRozan slowed down in the second half of the schedule and sputtered toward the end of the season. He averaged 20 points on 54.5 percent shooting in four matchups with Denver – the Spurs’ first-round opponent – this season.

NO. 8 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Season Record: 48-34
ATS Record: 45-36-1
Over/Under Record: 45-36-1
Odds to win NBA title: +15,000 at PointsBet
Odds to win West: +8,000 at PointsBet

Someone forgot to explain the finer details of “tanking” because the L.A. Clippers did it wrong. Sure, they traded away their best player midway through the season and fielded a lineup lacking star power, with their best player coming off the bench. Wasn’t it the other Los Angeles team that was supposed to be here?

The Clippers run one of the fastest paces in the NBA and knock down 38.8 percent of their looks from distance, yet don’t depend on the 3-ball like some of their Western Conference competition. Los Angeles picks up just over 26 percent of its points from beyond the arc – second fewest in the NBA.

The team’s surprise 2018-19 campaign naturally had them ranked among the best bets in the league, covering the spread almost 56 percent of the time, including a 23-17-1 ATS mark on the road. Funny enough, the Clips went just 16-21-1 against the spread as underdogs and will be getting the points in every game against the Warriors to open the playoffs. Golden State blasted L.A. in their two most recent meetings.

[StarDust Bum]

Playoff Trends to Watch
Marc Lawrence

With a helping hand from our trusted well-oiled database, let’s examine four key time-tested proven theories that have lined our pockets during the opening round of playoffs since 1991. Here’s what the machine has to say as we head into the 2019 postseason.

No. 8 Seeds Are Often Behind The 8-Ball

For the most part, No. 8 seeds in the NBA playoffs are teams that likely scratched and clawed their way into the post-season. Simply put, they are not good enough to be seriously considered threats against top-seeded opponents, as they were just barely better than the dregs of the league.

Rest assured, their life expectancy is not long at all, as they’ve lost over 72% of the time (61-162 SU) in games against No. 1 seeds since 1996. In fact, only the 1996 New York Knicks, the 2007 Golden State Warriors, and the 2012 Philadelphia 76ers were good enough to pull the rug on top-seeded foes and advance to Round Two of the playoff.

And you can virtually write them off in games against No. 1 seeds that are off consecutive SU and ATS wins. These guys scratch out of the match with alarming regularity, going 5-30 SU and 11-24 ATS, including 0-18 SU and 3-15 ATS when the 8-ballers are coming off a spread loss of more than 4 or more points in their last game. Be aware.

Upset Losers Are Winners

Yes, you read that right... it’s not an oxymoron. Instead, it’s a powerful handicapping edge. It occurs whenever a team was upset as a favorite in an opening round game and is at home in the game immediately thereafter.

That’s confirmed by the fact that they are 76-17 SU and 55-34-4 ATS, a rock solid number 61.7% winning spread angle. And if these upset victims happen to be a No. 1, 2, or 3 seed they are a jaw-dropping 42-4 SU and 29-16-1 ATS in these follow-up affairs, including 25-3 SU and 20-7-1 ATS when coming off a spread loss of 11 or more points.

Don’t be afraid of these chalkbusters. That’s because they don’t lose their composure. Instead, they almost always dig down deep and respond with aplomb in games after being embarrassed.

Double-Digit Dogma

Surprisingly, in the right role, double-digit underdogs do well in opening round contests, especially when playing off a playoff loss. These overweight puppies are 35-25-2 ATS in this role.

And if these same guys lost as a double-digit dog in their last game they zoom to 26-14-1 ATS, including 18-7 ATS against non-division foes.

Granted, these dogs are not exactly pedigree puppies but the fact of the matter is they tend to come up big against disinterested favorites not capable of chopping heavy lumber.

And Down Goes Frazier

The psyche of teams that are not playing well comes immediately to the surface during the opening round of the NBA playoffs. That’s evidenced by the fact that teams riding a 0-3 loss-skein in this round are wobbly and oftentimes one punch away from being counted out.

With glass-like jaws, these swirling 0-3 teams are just 87-110 SU and 87-102-1 ATS in opening round contests, including 16-52 SU and 26-42 ATS away from home.

Worst of all, road 'dogs of more than four points down 0-3 in the series are 3-32 SU and 10-25 ATS on their way to the canvas.

Trending

Defending champions, once again the Golden State Warriors in this case, are 86-35 SU and 66-50-5 ATS overall in opening round games the next season, including 19-8 SU and 17-9-1 ATS in Game One of Round One the following season.

Better yet, these champs are 17-8-1 ATS when coming off a loss of 6 or more points during the first round, including a spotless 6-0 ATS away since 2005.

Enjoy the opening round of the 2019 NBA playoffs.