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MONDAY, APRIL 22
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS
MIL at DET 08:00 PM
MIL -12.5
U 219.5
HOU at UTA 10:30 PM
HOU -3.0
O 214.5
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS
MIL at DET 08:00 PM
MIL -12.5
U 219.5
HOU at UTA 10:30 PM
HOU -3.0
O 214.5
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Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....
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Monday's Tip Sheet
Kevin Rogers
Game 4 – Bucks (-12 ½, 219 ½) at Pistons – 8:05 PM EST – TNT
Milwaukee leads series, 3-0
The Celtics are waiting in the wings for the Bucks in the second round of the playoffs after Boston swept Indiana in four games. Milwaukee is one victory away from a playoff rematch with Boston in a series that went the distance in 2018 and won by the Celtics. However, the top-seeded Bucks have to suffer through one more game with the Pistons, as Milwaukee has won and covered in each of the first three games by double-digits.
The first two contests in Milwaukee were no doubt blowouts as the Bucks cashed as 15-point favorites each time in 35 and 21-point routs. In Game 3 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Pistons’ star Blake Griffin returned to the lineup after missing the first two losses with a lingering knee injury. Griffin led the Pistons with 27 points, but Milwaukee cruised past Detroit, 119-103 for its seventh win over the Pistons this season.
Seven different Bucks posted double-figures in the Game 3 win as Khris Middleton put up 20 points, while Eric Bledsoe and Brook Lopez each scored 19 points to help Milwaukee cash as 9 ½-point favorites. The Bucks improved to 6-0-1 ATS this season against Detroit, while six of the seven wins have come by 10 points or more.
Milwaukee snapped a six-game road playoff losing streak in Saturday’s victory, as the Bucks picked up their first away postseason win since Game 1 of the 2017 first round series against the Raptors. The Pistons had won 11 consecutive games at Little Caesars Arena from February 4 through March 30, but Detroit is currently on a 1-3 run at home the last four opportunities.
Game 4 – Rockets (-3, 214 ½) at Jazz – 10:35 PM EST – TNT
Houston leads series, 3-0
How well are things going for the Rockets? Last season’s MVP James Harden missed his first 15 shots from the floor in Game 3 at Utah, but the Rockets still managed a 104-101 victory to grab a 3-0 series advantage. Houston and Golden State are on the verge of meeting once again in the postseason after last season’s epic seven-game set won by the Warriors, but the Rockets need one more victory to move forward.
Rewinding to Saturday’s Game 3 in Salt Lake City, in spite of Harden’s horrendous start from the floor, he finished with 22 points and 10 assists on 3-of-20 shooting. All five Rockets’ starters scored in double-figures as Chris Paul posted 18 points, while P.J. Tucker and Clint Capela each compiled a double-double. The only offensive firepower from the Jazz came courtesy of Donovan Mitchell, who scored 34 points, but also struggled shooting by hitting 9-of-27 attempts.
Utah captured the first two meetings in the regular season, but Houston won the final two matchups before taking the opening three games of this series. Dating back to the start of the 2017-18 season, the Rockets have won 13 of the last 16 meetings with the Jazz, including a 6-1 mark at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Chris David expected Houston to sweep Utah in four games and he’s sticking with that angle on Monday. He explained, “After closing as short ‘dogs on Saturday, the Rockets go from hunter to hunted in this game and will be laying as road favorites. We saw the same situation happen yesterday with Boston as the Celtics cashed as an underdog in Game 3 on Friday before sealing the series in Game 4. While homecourt is a big factor in the NBA, talent wins out and we’ve seen that so far in this year’s playoffs. Road favorites are 7-0 straight up and 5-2 against the spread in the postseason with the Warriors and Raptors just missing covers by a couple points over the weekend.”
He added, “Houston’s numbers as a road favorite (15-12 SU, 10-16-1 ATS) don’t seem appealing but a lot of those losses came early in the season. Since the All-Star break, the club has gone 6-3 when laying points as a visitor. It’s rare to see Utah listed as a home underdog, just twice this season (1-1). However, the Jazz are 0-3 both SU and ATS in their last three games as an underdog versus Houston and that includes a pair of losses in last year’s Western Conference semifinals. Some bettors might feel more secure taking the visitor on the money-line (-150) but make a note that the Rockets won all three of those games in Salt Lake City by double digits and the ‘under’ cashed in each contest too.”
Under Quin Snyder, the Jazz have put together an 0-5 SU/ATS record as a home underdog in the playoffs, including four straight losses by 11 points or more. The Rockets are currently riding a 7-1 run to the UNDER in the last eight playoff games, including three straight UNDERS against the Jazz on the road since last season’s second round matchup.Comment
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Mitchell helps Jazz stave off elimination
April 23, 2019
By The Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) Donovan Mitchell scored 19 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter to rally the Utah Jazz to a 107-91 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their Western Conference series on Monday night.
Jae Crowder added 23 points. Ricky Rubio chipped in 18 points and 11 assists and Derrick Favors finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Utah staved off elimination to force Game 5 on Wednesday.
James Harden scored 30 points to lead Houston. Chris Paul added 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Eric Gordon chipped in 16 points.
Utah's offense got a major boost from Crowder and Rubio in the first quarter. The duo combined for 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting in the quarter to help the Jazz carve out a double digit lead.
The Jazz opened the fourth quarter with a 15-1 and outscored the Rockets 31-12 in the period. Mitchell scored 13 points in three minutes to fuel the run after totaling just 12 points in the first three quarters. He capped off the surge with back-to-back 3-pointers, giving the Jazz a 91-80 lead with 9:02 remaining. Mitchell later had an incredible alley-oop dunk when he caught an errant pass and threw it down.
BUCKS 127, PISTONS 104
DETROIT (AP) - Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 41 points, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat Detroit, completing a four-game sweep of the Pistons and advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
Milwaukee closed the third quarter with a 17-3 run, taking a 10-point lead into the fourth after the Pistons had led much of the way. Detroit set an NBA record with its 14th consecutive playoff loss, a skid that began in 2008.
The Bucks will face Boston in the second round. The Celtics are coming off a sweep of their own against Indiana.
Reggie Jackson scored 20 of his 26 points in the first half for Detroit. Blake Griffin fouled out with 7:06 remaining after scoring 22. The home fans gave him a nice ovation - then many headed for the exits.Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY APRIL 23, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:05 PM Orlando Magic Toronto Raptors Scotiabank Arena
8:05 PM Brooklyn Nets Philadelphia 76ers Wells Fargo Center
9:30 PM San Antonio Spurs Denver Nuggets Pepsi Center
10:30 PM Oklahoma City Thunder Portland Trail Blazers Moda Center at the Rose Quarte
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NBA PLAYOFF RECORD OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !
DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD
04/22/2019 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50
04/21/2019 3-5-0 37.50% -12.50
04/20/2019 4-4-0 50.00% -2.00
04/19/2019 3-3-0 50.00% -1.50
04/18/2019 2-4-0 33.33% -12.00
04/17/2019 6-0-0 100.00% +30.00
04/16/2019 3-3-0 50.00% -1.50
04/15/2019 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
04/14/2019 4-4-0 50.00% -2.00
04/13/2019 7-1-0 87.50% +29.50
Totals..............33-29-0 53.22% +6.50
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BEST BETS:
DATE........................ATS................... ..UNITS..................O/U..................UNITS.............TOTALS
04/22/2019.............1 - 1.....................-0.50....................0 - 2.................-11.00.............-11.50
04/21/2019.............2 - 2 .....................-1.00....................1 - 3................-11.50..............-12.50
04/20/2019.............1 - 3.....................-11.50..................3 - 0................+15.00.............+3.50
04/19/2019.............1 - 2.....................-6.00....................2 - 1................+4.50...............-1.50
04/18/2019.............1 - 1.....................-0.50....................1 - 2................-6.00................-6.50
04/17/2019.............3 - 0....................+15.00..................3 - 0................+15.00.............+30.00
04/16/2019.............1 - 1.....................-0.50....................1 - 1.................-0.50...............-1.00
04/15/2019.............0 - 1.....................-5.50....................0 - 1.................-5.50...............-11.00
04/14/2019.............2 - 2.....................-1.00....................2 - 2.................-1.00...............-2.00
04/13/2019.............3 - 0.....................+15.00.................3 - 0.................+15.00............+30.00
Totals....................15 - 13..................+3.50.................16 - 12................+14.00............+17.50Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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Tuesday’s 6-pack
Odds to win next February’s Super Bowl (from Westgate SuperBook)
6-1: Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots
8-1: New Orleans Saints
10-1: Los Angeles Rams
12-1: Indianapolis Colts
14-1: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns
20-1: Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers
Quote of the Day
“He’s the most serious rookie I’ve ever coached in my life. I’ve never coached a guy with the focus that he has”
Doc Rivers, talking about Clippers rookie Landry Shamet
Tuesday’s quiz
In the movie Draft Day, who played the coach of the Cleveland Browns?
Monday’s quiz
Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota were the top two picks in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Sunday’s quiz
San Diego Chargers drafted Eli Manning in 2004, then traded him to the Giants for Philip Rivers. Giants traded an ’05 #1 pick and an ‘04 3rd-round pick to the Chargers in that deal.
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Tuesday’s List of 13: Nobody asked me, but……
13) According to Wikipedia, the Wonderlic Personnel Test is a popular group intelligence test used to assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem-solving in a range of occupations. NFL teams give the test to prospects at the NFL Combine each year. It consists of 50 multiple choice questions to be answered in 12 minutes.
Can you process information quickly? That is what is being measured here.
20 is considered an average score; there are wide-ranging opinions as to whether test results are an indicator of future on-field success. Tom Brady got a 33; very good. Dan Marino got a 16; not so good. Ryan Fitzpatrick got a 48; excellent, but he’s heading to his 8th team this fall.
Of all the QB prospects in this year’s draft, Kyler Murray got the lowest score (20), which makes perfect sense only because Murray is a such a polarizing figure as a prospect. The Wonderlic test doesn’t measure how fast you run or how well you throw the ball.
12) Was reading some stuff about these tests and football coaches, and I laughed when I read that some coaches are leery of prospects who score really high on tests, because they think kids who are really smart won’t respect a coach’s opinions/coaching as much as they should.
11) Mets 5, Phillies 1— Bryce Harper got tossed in the fourth inning while he was in the dugout for carping about balls/strikes. It was Harper’s 12th career ejection, by 12 different umpires.
It was the first time since June 2015 that a Phillies player was ejected.
10) Seahawks’ QB Russell Wilson got a 4-year, $140M contract extension last week; since then, he gave each of the Seahawks offensive lineman $12,000 in Amazon stock as a gift, to show his appreciation for them protecting him on Sunday afternoons.
9) Pretty cool that the Portland Trailblazers are a really good team, and their two best players went to college at Weber State and Lehigh, not exactly basketball factories.
8) From Elias Sports: Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon is first player to hit a walk-off home run and then hit a leadoff home run on the first pitch of the team’s next game since Jerome Walton did it for Cincinnati Reds on May 6-7, 1995. Blackmon did this Friday/Saturday.
7) Baseball injuries:
— Cardinals put P Michael Wacha (knee) on IL
— Red Sox P Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) is out 4-6 weeks.
— Pirates P Nick Burdi (elbow/bicep) appeared to suffer a serious injury.
6) Georgia CB Deandre Baker was supposed to be a first round draft pick in the NFL Draft Thursday, but in the months since the season ended, his stock has dropped, dating back to Baker’s decision to sit out Georgia’s season-ending Sugar Bowl loss to Texas.
In other words, if you skip your team’s bowl game, you might annoy the coaches, who talk to the scouts, and they’re not going to be as positive in their assessment of you.
This is something to track with other players going forward, as more kids skip bowl games to make sure they don’t get hurt.
5) Milwaukee 127, Detroit 104— This was Bucks’ first 7-game series sweep since 1983. Next up for Milwaukee is an interesting series with the Celtics. Detroit sets a dubious NBA record with its 14th consecutive playoff loss.
4) Joey Gallo hit his first career sac fly Sunday, in his 1,337th career plate appearance; only Greg Maddux (1,405) and Steve Sax (1,388) went longer in their careers before hitting their first sac fly.
3) I’ll sound like the older guy that I am saying this, but why do high school athletes go on TV to announce their college choice? Its like they’re attention junkies, craving the maximum amount of attention they can get. Just send out a message on Twitter or Instagram and be done with it.
2) Phoenix Suns fired coach Igor Kokoskov less than a year after hiring him; whatever poor soul coaches the Suns next year will be Phoenix’s 7th head coach in eight years.
1) Sounds like sports betting could become legal in Iowa as soon as June or July; always nice to know that Iowa, Mississippi and West Virginia are more advanced than New York in making sports betting legal. All New York is advanced in is raising taxes.Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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Tuesday's Playoff Tips
April 22, 2019
By Chris David
Tuesday’s playoff slate is loaded with four games and the first two contests in the Eastern Conference look like formalities for both Toronto and Philadelphia. Oddsmakers at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook opened up series prices on Monday for the conference semifinals even though the matchups haven’t even been officially determined.
Milwaukee -250 vs. Boston +200
Toronto -220 vs. Philadelphia +180
That’s the quartet that everybody wanted to see in the East and we should get there soon enough. For those believing that the Magic and Nets can win three straight games, then feel free to take a shot at 50/1 and 21/1 odds respectively on either long shot.
With the help of VegasInsider.com NBA expert Tony Mejia, let’s handicap the card.
Eastern Conference Game 5 (Raptors lead 3-1)
Orlando at Toronto (NBATV, 7:05 p.m. ET)
After losing a 104-101 decision in Game 1 on Apr. 13, the Raptors have won three straight games against the Magic and now own a commanding 3-1 lseries ead. While Toronto was given a bit of a scare in its 98-93 win in Game 3 at Orlando last Friday, it’s 107-85 victory in Game 4 on Sunday was a wire-to-wire outcome. The Raptors hit 53 percent from the field and the Magic struggled again overall (42%) and from 3-point land (21%). Orlando has actually done a decent job defensively in this series on Toronto but its offense is the issue and that’s not a surprise as they entered the playoffs averaging 106.6 points per game, the lowest among the 16 playoff teams.
Fast forward to Game 5 and the oddsmakers opened Toronto as an 11-point home favorite. The Raptors closed -9 ½ in the series opener from Canada and -11 in Game 2, and they evened up the series in that contest with a 111-82 win. Toronto is a 1/9 favorite (Bet $100 to win $11) to close the series out and that seems very likely.
Laying the points on Tuesday is a different discussion and it looks like a toss-up when you realize that Toronto went 14-1 straight up and 7-8-1 against the spread as a double-digit home favorite in the regular season. The lone setback came to Charlotte, which ended a buzzer-beater heave by the Hornets from half-court.
As a home favorite in the playoffs since 2014, Toronto has gone 14-10 but it’s burned bettors with an 8-15-1 record versus the number. During this span, the Raptors have won four series and the average margin in those close-out games was 10 points (99-89).
For what it’s worth, Orlando has gone 1-4 SU and 3-1-1 ATS this season when listed as a double-digit underdog and that includes the Game 2 loss in this series.
Eastern Conference Game 5 (76ers lead 3-1)
Brooklyn at Philadelphia (TNT, 8:05 p.m. ET)
This series parallels the one above as the Nets won Game 1 in Philadelphia before the 76ers woke up and rattled off three straight games to push Brooklyn to the brink of elimination. Just like the Raptors, Philadelphia got tested once on the road and posted a pair of double-digit results in the other games.
Saturday’s outcome was the tightest of this series and clearly the most heated as Philadelphia captured a 112-108 road win over Brooklyn and it managed to cover (-3 ½) at the end with a pair of free throws. The Nets have shown that they can compete with the star-power of the Sixers and they held a six-point lead (91-85) entering the final quarter. As we’ve seen many times this season, Brooklyn shot itself out of the game with a 5-of-19 shooting performance in the final 12 minutes and they turned the ball over six times as well. All-Star D’Angelo Russell had his worst shooting game of the series and if he doesn’t show up, the Nets are very limited.
Philadelphia opened as an eight-point favorite for Game 5, which is in the same neighborhood as Game 1 (-7 ½) and Game 2 (-8 ½). The money-line on the 76ers is minus-400 (Bet $100 to win $25) while the takeback on the Nets is hovering around 3/1 odds.
Going back the past three seasons, the Nets are just 3-5 in their last eight visits to Philadelphia but they have turned a slight profit (4-3-1 ATS) and the offense has come to play. Outside of a 95-point clunker in the 2018 regular season, Brooklyn has averaged 119 PPG in its other seven games at Philadelphia.
I do believe the series will end on Tuesday but the Nets will certainly go down firing and a Team Total (111) lean to the ‘over’ seems doable. My only hesitation with taking the points in Game 5 is because of what we’ve seen from Philadelphia at home in the playoffs. Since last season, the club has covered all four of its wins and the average outcome came by 18.3 PPG and that includes the Game 2 shellacking (145-123) in this series.
Western Conference Game 5 (Series tied 2-2)
San Antonio at Denver (NBATV, 9:30 p.m. ET)
Of the eight opening matchups, this has been the only competitive series and the Nuggets will have a chance to go up 3-2 on the Spurs at home this Tuesday from the Pepsi Center. Denver, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, has looked dead in the water a couple of times but it managed to stay the course and it showed up in a big way last Saturday.
Trailing 2-1 after three games, Mike Malone’s team captured a 117-103 win in Game 4 as a 3 ½-point road underdog. The club finally connected from 3-point land (15-of-31) and they went 22-of-24 (92%) from the free-throw line. All-Star Nikola Jokic dominated the paint with 29 points and 12 rebounds while Jamal Murray added 24 points. The victory snapped a 15-game losing streak at San Antonio, which went back to the 2012 regular season.
VegasInsider.com NBA expert Tony Mejia provided his thoughts on the series and what to expect in Game 5. He said, “The Nuggets scored 117 points in Game 4 after the Spurs put up a series-high 118 in Game 3, so it’s clear both teams have gotten comfortable with the way their opponents are defending. The playoffs are about talent first and foremost, but if teams are evenly matched, strategical adjustments take over. It’s up to Gregg Popovich and his staff to find a way to win what now becomes a best-of-three without homecourt advantage. San Antonio saw its home winning streak against the Nuggets snapped by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, who each got comfortable in helping pull off Saturday afternoon’s upset.”
Stealing another win won’t be easy at Denver, who owned the best regular season record at home (34-7 SU, 25-16 ATS). Despite taking Game 1, San Antonio’s road mark (16-25 SU, 29-20-2 ATS) was nothing to be proud of this season.
“The Spurs have to find a way to bother one of them in order to steal one in Denver in order to get out of this series and it’s worth knowing that since he didn’t coach in last year’s Game 5 loss to Golden State in which they were eliminated, Gregg Popovich has won nine of the last 10 Game 5s in which he’s appeared in dating back to their run to the 2013 NBA Finals. Michael Malone is coaching in his first game this deep into a series in the head seat, but does have experience as an assistant with the Cavs, Hornets and Warriors. That stat alone should be worth a few points for the visitors,” added Mejia.
The line for Game 1 was Denver -5 ½ and Game 2 closed -7 with the assumption that the Nuggets wouldn’t fall into a 2-0 deficit. For Tuesday’s game, Denver is back to -5 ½ and the key to this matchup will be San Antonio’s defense and the unit has struggled on the road (114 PPG) all season. In wins, they held teams to 104.8 PPG and gave up 117.4 in losses. As Mejia mentioned, Denver’s offense is clicking right now and the basket has always looked bigger (114.1 PPG) for its offense at home.
The books have cleaned up on the total in this series as bettors have leaned heavily to the ‘under’ in each of the first four games. The low side cashed in the opener but the ‘over’ has now hit in the last three games. The total for Game 5 opened 212 and has dipped slightly to 211 ½.
The updated series price has Denver (-185) slightly favored over San Antonio (+160) in what’s now a best-of-three battle.
Game 6 will take place on Thursday from the AT&T Center.
Western Conference Game 5 (Trail Blazers lead 3-1)
Oklahoma City at Portland (TNT, 10:35 p.m. ET)
The fourth and final Game 5 matchup on Tuesday is expected to be the tightest and it’s the most intriguing as Portland can send Oklahoma City packing and that would be the third straight season that the Thunder get ousted in the first round. According to Mejia, OKC’s inability to shoot consistently or change its style has been key in this series.
“Apparently a lot of people are just noticing that Russell Westbrook no longer shoots the ball well. It may have been glossed over by all the triple-doubles, but he’s had his share of terrible runs like the one he’s on and has been an inefficient 3-point shooter all season. Shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc in March marked his best month by far, so maybe he had high hopes that he’d be able to hang with Damian Lillard from the perimeter, but that group of people I was alluding to earlier includes Westbrook, who is apparently delusional,” said Mejia.
The Thunder have been held under 100 points in all three of their losses in this series and event though Westbrook is averaging 21.3 PPG, 9.8 assists and 8.3 rebounds, he’s shooting 36.3 percent from the field.
Mejia added, “Enes Kanter and Al Farouq Aminu shouldn’t be keeping Westbrook from getting into the paint and collapsing the defense. He’s 3-for-17 from 3-point range in OKC’s losses and 4-for-6 in the lone victory, but It’s not worth it for him to continue exploring whether he can find the range. This visit to Portland, where he shot 1-for-10 in the first two games, must see him attack the paint and leave the 3-ball for those who can better do it. Paul George has gotten to the line 31 times over the past two games and has the right idea, because it’s going to take a parade to the free-throw line and improved perimeter defense to win three consecutive games in this series.”
George is averaging 28.6 PPG and 8.5 RPG in the series but he’s the best 3-point shooter on Oklahoma City and he’s only hitting 30.8 percent in this series. Can the Thunder flip the switch and find their shot like they did in the second-half of Game 3 or is this series done?
“With Westbrook having scored just one point on 0-for-7 shooting in the second half of Game 4, the Thunder’s stock can’t get any lower, but I wouldn’t count them out just yet. For simply the value of it, if you plan on riding Westbrook to find a tweak that will allow the Thunder to get back home for a Game 6, you may as well throw a few bucks on them winning the series since a return of +450 (Westgate) or more elsewhere provides a great return you wouldn’t have expected to have seen with a team that entered as the series favorite. If Westbrook stops giving the Blazers defense exactly what they want by settling for jumpers, Oklahoma City is capable of coming back,” Mejia explained his handicap for a series bet.
For Tuesday’s game, Portland is a 3 ½-point home favorite and the money-line is -160 on the Trail Blazers while OKC can receive 7/5 odds (Bet $100 to win $140) to stay alive. Knowing OKC will be favored in Game 6 if it wins and likely be a shorter ‘dog in Game 7, taking the 9/2 odds on the series is definitely worth a shot if you're leaning to the vistior in Game 5.
The ‘under’ has gone 3-1 in the first four games and the Game 5 number opened 220 and has dropped as low as 218 ½ as of Monday night.
If necessary, Game 6 will take place on Thursday from OKC and a possible Game 7 would be in Portland on Saturday.Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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Preview: Magic (42-40) at Raptors (58-24)
Date: April 23, 2019 7:00 PM EDT
The Toronto Raptors will attempt to win four straight games in the same playoff series for the first time in franchise history when they seek to close out the visiting Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Tuesday night.
The Raptors have rebounded from a 104-101 home loss in Game 1 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. They are one victory away from a second-round matchup with either Philadelphia or Brooklyn.
Toronto's defense has dominated the series ever since D.J. Augustin's late 3-pointer stunned the East's second seed in the series opener.
Orlando made 14 of its 29 3-point attempts (48.3 percent) in Game 1. The Magic have since gone 29-for-111 (26.1 percent) while totaling just 82, 93 and 85 points after putting up 104 in the opener.
After a 2-for-5 effort in Game 1, Evan Fournier's shooting woes have mirrored the Magic's long-range issues. He's shot 5-for-23 from deep in the last three games.
He felt apologetic after his -- and his team's -- performance in 98-93 and 107-85 home losses in Games 3 and 4.
"It's tough, man, because these fans have been waiting for these games for so long and it's really disappointing to not give them a win," he told reporters after Sunday's loss. "That's a big reason why we want to come back here for a Game 6."
Getting the series back to Orlando will be no easy task. Toronto has rebounded from its Game 1 disappointment to win three games by a total of 56 points.
Kawhi Leonard leads the series in scoring at 28.0 points per game, but he's gotten plenty of help.
Pascal Siakam (22.3 points) also has outscored Orlando's leading scorer (Aaron Gordon, 16.3); Kyle Lowry has twice the number of total assists (34) as the Magic leader (Gordon, 17); and Toronto has five other guys -- Serge Ibaka (9.3), Danny Green (8.5), Marc Gasol (8.3), Norman Powell (8.3) and Fred VanVleet (7.3) -- averaging at least seven points per game.
"I feel like my teammates had a big part (in Sunday's win)," Leonard said. "With Norm playing great; Pascal shot the ball well; Kyle did great, made big shots; Danny made a big shot at the end of the third; Marc played great; Fred came in and knocked down shots ... I feel like we all played well tonight; we all had our hands on the game. It's not just me out there."
While Toronto has never previously won four straight in a playoff series, the Magic have a history of losing four in succession. In fact, it happened the last time Orlando made the playoffs, when it beat Indiana in the 2012 first-round opener before getting eliminated in five games.
Orlando, which also won on the road as part of a 2-2 split in the regular season, will tip off the must-win contest with vivid memories of having had success on the Toronto court.
"We've shown that we can win there before," Gordon noted to reporters Sunday. "That's the idea -- go out there and fight, definitely fight -- and potentially get back (to Orlando for a Game 6). We get a win out there, then the series is up for grabs."
--Field Level Media
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Magic at Raptors
Sat, Apr 13 Final 104 to 101
Recaps
GAME 2
Magic at Raptors
Tue, Apr 16 Final 82 to 111
Recaps
GAME 3
Raptors at Magic
Fri, Apr 19 Final 98 to 93
Recaps
GAME 4
Raptors at Magic
Sun, Apr 21 Final 107 to 85
Recaps
GAME 5
Magic at Raptors
Tue, Apr 23 - 7:00PM EDTRemember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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Preview: Nets (42-40) at 76ers (51-31)
Date: April 23, 2019 8:00 PM EDT
Joel Embiid's left knee will be a question for the Philadelphia 76ers for the duration of their playoff run, but when he is on the floor, things go extremely well.
Embiid's presence is among the reasons why the 76ers are on the verge of advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals. And they have a shot to do just that Tuesday night when they host the Brooklyn Nets in Game 5 of their first-round series.
Philadelphia is attempting to reach the semifinals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1999-2001 during the peak years of coach Larry Brown and Allen Iverson, a stretch that culminated in getting to the NBA Finals in 2001.
If Philadelphia is unable to close it out, the series will return to Brooklyn for Game 6 on Thursday.
The Sixers have won the last three games after getting booed by home fans in a 111-102 loss in Game 1 on April 13. Embiid totaled 22 points and 15 rebounds in the series opener but in the subsequent two games he has played, the center has been a force.
Embiid is averaging 25.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and four assists while playing about 26 minutes per game. He also is shooting 51 percent from the floor, and the Sixers have outscored Brooklyn by 27 points when he is on the court.
"He was dominant," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said after Embiid made the pass to Mike Scott for the go-ahead corner 3-pointer with 18 seconds remaining in Game 4. "There were times you can see that it's still raw and there are some decisions that he probably would like to have over again but given the volume of playing time lately, that he hasn't had, it's just a dominant performance. What more can you say?"
"It was really important because we wanted to get this one and go home and try to finish it," Embiid said. "It feels great to be up 3-1."
Embiid is hardly the only Sixer giving the Nets fits.
Ben Simmons followed up 31 points in Game 3 with 15 points Saturday and has shot 18-of-25 in those games. Tobias Harris has scored 29 and 24 in the last two games while Butler scored 36 points in Game 1.
The Nets are facing the potential end of a season that surprised many. They were 8-18 through Dec. 5 but went 34-22 from that point to finish 42-40 and grab the sixth seed.
They won Game 1 by showcasing physicality but haven't had many answers for Embiid or anyone else. The Nets have allowed 170 points in the paint in the last three games and Philadelphia has shot 51.4 percent.
While Games 2 and 3 got away from the Nets in the third quarter, a fourth-quarter collapse doomed the Nets in Game 4. Brooklyn held a 101-94 lead with 5:20 left and then allowed an 18-7 run, shot 3-of-8 and committed five turnovers.
One of those turnovers was by Jarrett Allen when Simmons stole the ball from him with five seconds left as Embiid and Harris also surrounded the second-year center.
"For a lot of us, this is our first time playing big minutes in the playoffs," Brooklyn guard Spencer Dinwiddie said. "But we were right there 1/8in Game 4 3/8. We feel like we should've won. We weren't saying this was a learning experience when we won Game 1. So we can't fall back on that now. We need to try to pull off something incredible."
The Nets have never overcome a three games-to-one deficit in their NBA history.
Besides trying to stop Embiid, the Nets will hope to get a big night from D'Angelo Russell, who is averaging 22.3 points in the series but shooting 39 percent.
They also will hope to get continued production from Caris LeVert, who has 51 points in the past two games, and improved three-point shooting from Joe Harris, who is 3-of-16 from behind the arc after being the league's top 3-point shooter in the regular season.
Brooklyn might be without veteran forward Ed Davis, who is questionable with an ankle injury. Davis sat out Game 4 and has played 16 minutes since Game 1
--Field Level Media
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Nets at 76ers
Sat, Apr 13 Final 111 to 102
Recaps
GAME 2
Nets at 76ers
Mon, Apr 15 Final 123 to 145
Recaps
GAME 3
76ers at Nets
Thu, Apr 18 Final 131 to 115
Recaps
GAME 4
76ers at Nets
Sat, Apr 20 Final 112 to 108
Recaps
GAME 5
Nets at 76ers
Tue, Apr 23 - 8:00PM EDTRemember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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Preview: Spurs (48-34) at Nuggets (54-28)
Date: April 23, 2019 9:30 PM EDT
After posting a rare win in San Antonio to even the first-round series at 2-2, the Denver Nuggets will try to carry that momentum into Game 5 on Tuesday night against the visiting Spurs.
Denver made adjustments -- tactically and emotionally -- and outscored the Spurs 69-45 in the second and third quarters on Saturday to secure its first win in San Antonio since 2012.
The Nuggets have regained homecourt advantage as they try to make it past the first round for just the second time in 25 seasons.
Denver's 117-103 win in Game 4 came after coach Michael Malone put Torrey Craig in the starting lineup and brought struggling Will Barton off the bench. Craig, a superior defender, helped shut down DeMar DeRozan and allowed the Nuggets' other top-flight perimeter defender, Gary Harris, to hound point guard Derrick White.
The strategy worked well. White, who scored 36 in Game 3, was held to eight points and had four turnovers. DeRozan scored 19, but lost his cool after he was called for an offensive foul when Harris was guarding. He tossed the ball in the direction of the referee and was ejected with 5:01 left.
The league also hit DeRozan with a $25,000 fine for his actions.
"Frustration," DeRozan said after the game of why he tossed the ball. "I mean, I thought it was a bad call."
Craig is likely to remain in the starting lineup Tuesday night.
"Our two best perimeter defenders on their two best perimeter players," Malone said after the game.
Craig added a bonus on offense, scoring 18 points and hitting 5 of 7 of his 3-pointers.
San Antonio will have to make the next move. The Spurs have played well in the two games in Denver, winning the first and then holding a 19-point lead in Game 2 before Jamal Murray got hot in the fourth quarter and led the Nuggets to the win.
The theme of this series has been the young roster of the Nuggets against the veteran Spurs, who have been to the postseason 22 straight seasons. In the first three games that experience showed, and if not for a big fourth quarter in Game 2 San Antonio could have been up 3-0 before Saturday.
Denver has seemed to settle down in the series. Nikola Jokic has played like an MVP candidate and Harris has been solid on both ends of the floor. Winning a road game in the playoffs might give the Nuggets the spark they need to get over the top.
But the Spurs will likely tweak things. Forward LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points in 29 minutes in Game 4 and could see more action in the post, which will force Jokic to play more defense and possibly get into foul trouble.
A bounce-back game from White, who grew up in the Denver area rooting for the Nuggets, would be a boost.
No matter what happens the rest of the way this has been the most competitive first-round series in the NBA. The higher seeds in the other seven series either swept their opponents or were up 3-1. Only the Nuggets-Spurs were guaranteed a Game 6 after the first four matchups.
--Field Level Media
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Spurs at Nuggets
Sat, Apr 13 Final 101 to 96
Recaps
GAME 2
Spurs at Nuggets
Tue, Apr 16 Final 105 to 114
Recaps
GAME 3
Nuggets at Spurs
Thu, Apr 18 Final 108 to 118
Recaps
GAME 4
Nuggets at Spurs
Sat, Apr 20 Final 117 to 103
Recaps
GAME 5
Spurs at Nuggets
Tue, Apr 23 - 9:30PM EDTRemember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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Preview: Thunder (49-33) at Trail Blazers (53-29)
Date: April 23, 2019 10:30 PM EDT
The Portland Trail Blazers are known as an offensive team, but their defense has been equally important as they have built a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder have been held under 100 points in each of their three losses. They shot only 37.5 percent in Sunday's 111-98 home loss.
"We need one more game like that," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts said as he looked ahead to Tuesday night's Game 5 in Portland.
The Thunder are looking at the possibility of a third straight first-round playoff ouster.
"We're down 3-1," Coach Billy Donovan said. "All we can do now is watch the (video), try to make some corrections and adjustments and get ready for Game 5. I mean, that's really all we can do."
There were plenty of extracurricular activities during Oklahoma City's Game 3 win, but the Blazers were determined not to get caught up in it in Game 4.
"We weren't emotional about it -- we were just competing," said Damian Lillard, who scored 24 points in Game 4 and is averaging 28.8 points in the series. "We were passionate about the game as well (as the Thunder), but we didn't engage in it. Our focus was our team.
"We're not going to go crazy on the referees, get into shouting matches (with the Thunder). We're going to focus on the things we need to do to win the game. I was proud our team stuck with that."
Stotts said he expects that to be the case Tuesday night as well.
"It's good to be going home and having a chance to close them out," he said, "but our demeanor, our approach isn't going to change in Game 5."
Oklahoma City forward Paul George is averaging 26.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in the series but is shooting only 37 percent from the field and 30.8 from 3-point range. Guard Russell Westbrook is averaging 21.3 points, 9.8 assists and 8.3 rebounds but is shooting 36.3 percent from the field and 30.4 from the 3-point line.
The Thunder are shooting 41.3 from the field and 30.8 on 3-point attempts in the series. The Trail Blazers' numbers are 44.1 from the field and an excellent 41.5 from beyond the arc.
What's the solution for the Thunder in Game 5?
"Score more points," George said. "Honestly, that's what we have to do. Defensively, we're going to be locked in. We'll get in the flow. We'll get in the rhythm. The ball will find its way to the hole. We just have to get better.
"Regardless of what the series is, it's always one game at a time. We have to play one game. Give everything in one game, and go to the next. We're down 3-1, but we have to take it one game at a time."
Stotts expects a strong performance by the Thunder on Tuesday night.
"They're pros," he said. "I expect a great effort from them. You lose a game on your homecourt, you're going to be dejected. But I would expect them to bounce back in Game 5."
--Field Level Media
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Thunder at Trail Blazers
Sun, Apr 14 Final 99 to 104
Recaps
GAME 2
Thunder at Trail Blazers
Tue, Apr 16 Final 94 to 114
Recaps
GAME 3
Trail Blazers at Thunder
Fri, Apr 19 Final 108 to 120
Recaps
GAME 4
Trail Blazers at Thunder
Sun, Apr 21 Final 111 to 98
Recaps
GAME 5
Thunder at Trail Blazers
Tue, Apr 23 - 10:30PM EDTRemember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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Tuesday’s 6-pack
Odds to win next February’s Super Bowl (from Westgate SuperBook)
6-1: Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots
8-1: New Orleans Saints
10-1: Los Angeles Rams
12-1: Indianapolis Colts
14-1: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns
20-1: Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers
Quote of the Day
“He’s the most serious rookie I’ve ever coached in my life. I’ve never coached a guy with the focus that he has”
Doc Rivers, talking about Clippers rookie Landry Shamet
Tuesday’s quiz
In the movie Draft Day, who played the coach of the Cleveland Browns?
Monday’s quiz
Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota were the top two picks in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Sunday’s quiz
San Diego Chargers drafted Eli Manning in 2004, then traded him to the Giants for Philip Rivers. Giants traded an ’05 #1 pick and an ‘04 3rd-round pick to the Chargers in that deal.
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Tuesday’s List of 13: Nobody asked me, but……
13) According to Wikipedia, the Wonderlic Personnel Test is a popular group intelligence test used to assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem-solving in a range of occupations. NFL teams give the test to prospects at the NFL Combine each year. It consists of 50 multiple choice questions to be answered in 12 minutes.
Can you process information quickly? That is what is being measured here.
20 is considered an average score; there are wide-ranging opinions as to whether test results are an indicator of future on-field success. Tom Brady got a 33; very good. Dan Marino got a 16; not so good. Ryan Fitzpatrick got a 48; excellent, but he’s heading to his 8th team this fall.
Of all the QB prospects in this year’s draft, Kyler Murray got the lowest score (20), which makes perfect sense only because Murray is a such a polarizing figure as a prospect. The Wonderlic test doesn’t measure how fast you run or how well you throw the ball.
12) Was reading some stuff about these tests and football coaches, and I laughed when I read that some coaches are leery of prospects who score really high on tests, because they think kids who are really smart won’t respect a coach’s opinions/coaching as much as they should.
11) Mets 5, Phillies 1— Bryce Harper got tossed in the fourth inning while he was in the dugout for carping about balls/strikes. It was Harper’s 12th career ejection, by 12 different umpires.
It was the first time since June 2015 that a Phillies player was ejected.
10) Seahawks’ QB Russell Wilson got a 4-year, $140M contract extension last week; since then, he gave each of the Seahawks offensive lineman $12,000 in Amazon stock as a gift, to show his appreciation for them protecting him on Sunday afternoons.
9) Pretty cool that the Portland Trailblazers are a really good team, and their two best players went to college at Weber State and Lehigh, not exactly basketball factories.
8) From Elias Sports: Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon is first player to hit a walk-off home run and then hit a leadoff home run on the first pitch of the team’s next game since Jerome Walton did it for Cincinnati Reds on May 6-7, 1995. Blackmon did this Friday/Saturday.
7) Baseball injuries:
— Cardinals put P Michael Wacha (knee) on IL
— Red Sox P Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) is out 4-6 weeks.
— Pirates P Nick Burdi (elbow/bicep) appeared to suffer a serious injury.
6) Georgia CB Deandre Baker was supposed to be a first round draft pick in the NFL Draft Thursday, but in the months since the season ended, his stock has dropped, dating back to Baker’s decision to sit out Georgia’s season-ending Sugar Bowl loss to Texas.
In other words, if you skip your team’s bowl game, you might annoy the coaches, who talk to the scouts, and they’re not going to be as positive in their assessment of you.
This is something to track with other players going forward, as more kids skip bowl games to make sure they don’t get hurt.
5) Milwaukee 127, Detroit 104— This was Bucks’ first 7-game series sweep since 1983. Next up for Milwaukee is an interesting series with the Celtics. Detroit sets a dubious NBA record with its 14th consecutive playoff loss.
4) Joey Gallo hit his first career sac fly Sunday, in his 1,337th career plate appearance; only Greg Maddux (1,405) and Steve Sax (1,388) went longer in their careers before hitting their first sac fly.
3) I’ll sound like the older guy that I am saying this, but why do high school athletes go on TV to announce their college choice? Its like they’re attention junkies, craving the maximum amount of attention they can get. Just send out a message on Twitter or Instagram and be done with it.
2) Phoenix Suns fired coach Igor Kokoskov less than a year after hiring him; whatever poor soul coaches the Suns next year will be Phoenix’s 7th head coach in eight years.
1) Sounds like sports betting could become legal in Iowa as soon as June or July; always nice to know that Iowa, Mississippi and West Virginia are more advanced than New York in making sports betting legal. All New York is advanced in is raising taxes.Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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Tuesday's Playoff Tips
Chris David
Tuesday’s playoff slate is loaded with four games and the first two contests in the Eastern Conference look like formalities for both Toronto and Philadelphia. Oddsmakers at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook opened up series prices on Monday for the conference semifinals even though the matchups haven’t even been officially determined.
Milwaukee -250 vs. Boston +200
Toronto -220 vs. Philadelphia +180
That’s the quartet that everybody wanted to see in the East and we should get there soon enough. For those believing that the Magic and Nets can win three straight games, then feel free to take a shot at 50/1 and 21/1 odds respectively on either long shot.
With the help of NBA expert Tony Mejia, let’s handicap the card.
Eastern Conference Game 5 (Raptors lead 3-1)
Orlando at Toronto (NBATV, 7:05 p.m. ET)
After losing a 104-101 decision in Game 1 on Apr. 13, the Raptors have won three straight games against the Magic and now own a commanding 3-1 lseries ead. While Toronto was given a bit of a scare in its 98-93 win in Game 3 at Orlando last Friday, it’s 107-85 victory in Game 4 on Sunday was a wire-to-wire outcome. The Raptors hit 53 percent from the field and the Magic struggled again overall (42%) and from 3-point land (21%). Orlando has actually done a decent job defensively in this series on Toronto but its offense is the issue and that’s not a surprise as they entered the playoffs averaging 106.6 points per game, the lowest among the 16 playoff teams.
Fast forward to Game 5 and the oddsmakers opened Toronto as an 11-point home favorite. The Raptors closed -9 ½ in the series opener from Canada and -11 in Game 2, and they evened up the series in that contest with a 111-82 win. Toronto is a 1/9 favorite (Bet $100 to win $11) to close the series out and that seems very likely.
Laying the points on Tuesday is a different discussion and it looks like a toss-up when you realize that Toronto went 14-1 straight up and 7-8-1 against the spread as a double-digit home favorite in the regular season. The lone setback came to Charlotte, which ended a buzzer-beater heave by the Hornets from half-court.
As a home favorite in the playoffs since 2014, Toronto has gone 14-10 but it’s burned bettors with an 8-15-1 record versus the number. During this span, the Raptors have won four series and the average margin in those close-out games was 10 points (99-89).
For what it’s worth, Orlando has gone 1-4 SU and 3-1-1 ATS this season when listed as a double-digit underdog and that includes the Game 2 loss in this series.
Eastern Conference Game 5 (76ers lead 3-1)
Brooklyn at Philadelphia (TNT, 8:05 p.m. ET)
This series parallels the one above as the Nets won Game 1 in Philadelphia before the 76ers woke up and rattled off three straight games to push Brooklyn to the brink of elimination. Just like the Raptors, Philadelphia got tested once on the road and posted a pair of double-digit results in the other games.
Saturday’s outcome was the tightest of this series and clearly the most heated as Philadelphia captured a 112-108 road win over Brooklyn and it managed to cover (-3 ½) at the end with a pair of free throws. The Nets have shown that they can compete with the star-power of the Sixers and they held a six-point lead (91-85) entering the final quarter. As we’ve seen many times this season, Brooklyn shot itself out of the game with a 5-of-19 shooting performance in the final 12 minutes and they turned the ball over six times as well. All-Star D’Angelo Russell had his worst shooting game of the series and if he doesn’t show up, the Nets are very limited.
Philadelphia opened as an eight-point favorite for Game 5, which is in the same neighborhood as Game 1 (-7 ½) and Game 2 (-8 ½). The money-line on the 76ers is minus-400 (Bet $100 to win $25) while the takeback on the Nets is hovering around 3/1 odds.
Going back the past three seasons, the Nets are just 3-5 in their last eight visits to Philadelphia but they have turned a slight profit (4-3-1 ATS) and the offense has come to play. Outside of a 95-point clunker in the 2018 regular season, Brooklyn has averaged 119 PPG in its other seven games at Philadelphia.
I do believe the series will end on Tuesday but the Nets will certainly go down firing and a Team Total (111) lean to the ‘over’ seems doable. My only hesitation with taking the points in Game 5 is because of what we’ve seen from Philadelphia at home in the playoffs. Since last season, the club has covered all four of its wins and the average outcome came by 18.3 PPG and that includes the Game 2 shellacking (145-123) in this series.
Western Conference Game 5 (Series tied 2-2)
San Antonio at Denver (NBATV, 9:30 p.m. ET)
Of the eight opening matchups, this has been the only competitive series and the Nuggets will have a chance to go up 3-2 on the Spurs at home this Tuesday from the Pepsi Center. Denver, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, has looked dead in the water a couple of times but it managed to stay the course and it showed up in a big way last Saturday.
Trailing 2-1 after three games, Mike Malone’s team captured a 117-103 win in Game 4 as a 3 ½-point road underdog. The club finally connected from 3-point land (15-of-31) and they went 22-of-24 (92%) from the free-throw line. All-Star Nikola Jokic dominated the paint with 29 points and 12 rebounds while Jamal Murray added 24 points. The victory snapped a 15-game losing streak at San Antonio, which went back to the 2012 regular season.
NBA expert Tony Mejia provided his thoughts on the series and what to expect in Game 5. He said, “The Nuggets scored 117 points in Game 4 after the Spurs put up a series-high 118 in Game 3, so it’s clear both teams have gotten comfortable with the way their opponents are defending. The playoffs are about talent first and foremost, but if teams are evenly matched, strategical adjustments take over. It’s up to Gregg Popovich and his staff to find a way to win what now becomes a best-of-three without homecourt advantage. San Antonio saw its home winning streak against the Nuggets snapped by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, who each got comfortable in helping pull off Saturday afternoon’s upset.”
Stealing another win won’t be easy at Denver, who owned the best regular season record at home (34-7 SU, 25-16 ATS). Despite taking Game 1, San Antonio’s road mark (16-25 SU, 29-20-2 ATS) was nothing to be proud of this season.
“The Spurs have to find a way to bother one of them in order to steal one in Denver in order to get out of this series and it’s worth knowing that since he didn’t coach in last year’s Game 5 loss to Golden State in which they were eliminated, Gregg Popovich has won nine of the last 10 Game 5s in which he’s appeared in dating back to their run to the 2013 NBA Finals. Michael Malone is coaching in his first game this deep into a series in the head seat, but does have experience as an assistant with the Cavs, Hornets and Warriors. That stat alone should be worth a few points for the visitors,” added Mejia.
The line for Game 1 was Denver -5 ½ and Game 2 closed -7 with the assumption that the Nuggets wouldn’t fall into a 2-0 deficit. For Tuesday’s game, Denver is back to -5 ½ and the key to this matchup will be San Antonio’s defense and the unit has struggled on the road (114 PPG) all season. In wins, they held teams to 104.8 PPG and gave up 117.4 in losses. As Mejia mentioned, Denver’s offense is clicking right now and the basket has always looked bigger (114.1 PPG) for its offense at home.
The books have cleaned up on the total in this series as bettors have leaned heavily to the ‘under’ in each of the first four games. The low side cashed in the opener but the ‘over’ has now hit in the last three games. The total for Game 5 opened 212 and has dipped slightly to 211 ½.
The updated series price has Denver (-185) slightly favored over San Antonio (+160) in what’s now a best-of-three battle.
Game 6 will take place on Thursday from the AT&T Center.
Western Conference Game 5 (Trail Blazers lead 3-1)
Oklahoma City at Portland (TNT, 10:35 p.m. ET)
The fourth and final Game 5 matchup on Tuesday is expected to be the tightest and it’s the most intriguing as Portland can send Oklahoma City packing and that would be the third straight season that the Thunder get ousted in the first round. According to Mejia, OKC’s inability to shoot consistently or change its style has been key in this series.
“Apparently a lot of people are just noticing that Russell Westbrook no longer shoots the ball well. It may have been glossed over by all the triple-doubles, but he’s had his share of terrible runs like the one he’s on and has been an inefficient 3-point shooter all season. Shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc in March marked his best month by far, so maybe he had high hopes that he’d be able to hang with Damian Lillard from the perimeter, but that group of people I was alluding to earlier includes Westbrook, who is apparently delusional,” said Mejia.
The Thunder have been held under 100 points in all three of their losses in this series and event though Westbrook is averaging 21.3 PPG, 9.8 assists and 8.3 rebounds, he’s shooting 36.3 percent from the field.
Mejia added, “Enes Kanter and Al Farouq Aminu shouldn’t be keeping Westbrook from getting into the paint and collapsing the defense. He’s 3-for-17 from 3-point range in OKC’s losses and 4-for-6 in the lone victory, but It’s not worth it for him to continue exploring whether he can find the range. This visit to Portland, where he shot 1-for-10 in the first two games, must see him attack the paint and leave the 3-ball for those who can better do it. Paul George has gotten to the line 31 times over the past two games and has the right idea, because it’s going to take a parade to the free-throw line and improved perimeter defense to win three consecutive games in this series.”
George is averaging 28.6 PPG and 8.5 RPG in the series but he’s the best 3-point shooter on Oklahoma City and he’s only hitting 30.8 percent in this series. Can the Thunder flip the switch and find their shot like they did in the second-half of Game 3 or is this series done?
“With Westbrook having scored just one point on 0-for-7 shooting in the second half of Game 4, the Thunder’s stock can’t get any lower, but I wouldn’t count them out just yet. For simply the value of it, if you plan on riding Westbrook to find a tweak that will allow the Thunder to get back home for a Game 6, you may as well throw a few bucks on them winning the series since a return of +450 (Westgate) or more elsewhere provides a great return you wouldn’t have expected to have seen with a team that entered as the series favorite. If Westbrook stops giving the Blazers defense exactly what they want by settling for jumpers, Oklahoma City is capable of coming back,” Mejia explained his handicap for a series bet.
For Tuesday’s game, Portland is a 3 ½-point home favorite and the money-line is -160 on the Trail Blazers while OKC can receive 7/5 odds (Bet $100 to win $140) to stay alive. Knowing OKC will be favored in Game 6 if it wins and likely be a shorter ‘dog in Game 7, taking the 9/2 odds on the series is definitely worth a shot if you're leaning to the vistior in Game 5.
The ‘under’ has gone 3-1 in the first four games and the Game 5 number opened 220 and has dropped as low as 218 ½ as of Monday night.
If necessary, Game 6 will take place on Thursday from OKC and a possible Game 7 would be in Portland on Saturday.Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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501San Antonio -502 Denver
SAN ANTONIO is 21-2 ATS (18.8 Units) revenging a loss where opponent scored 110 or more points in the current season.
503Oklahoma City -504 Portland
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) after 5 straight games - allowing a shooting pct. of 42% or less in the last 3 seasons.
505Orlando -506 Toronto
TORONTO is 9-0 ATS (9 Units) in home games after allowing 90 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
507Brooklyn -508 Philadelphia
BROOKLYN is 13-1 ATS (11.9 Units) in road games after allowing 110 points or more 3 straight games over the last 2 seasons.
NBA
Dunkel
Tuesday, April 23
Orlando @ Toronto
Game 505-506
April 23, 2019 @ 7:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Orlando
112.691
Toronto
136.054
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 23 1/2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 11 1/2
206
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-11 1/2); Over
Brooklyn @ Philadelphia
Game 507-508
April 23, 2019 @ 8:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Brooklyn
107.249
Philadelphia
131.637
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 24 1/2
222
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
by 8 1/2
230
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(-8 1/2); Under
San Antonio @ Denver
Game 501-502
April 23, 2019 @ 9:30 pm
Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
117.841
Denver
121.338
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Denver
by 3 1/2
205
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Denver
by 5 1/2
212
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(+5 1/2); Under
Oklahoma City @ Portland
Game 503-504
April 23, 2019 @ 10:30 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
123.826
Portland
122.532
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 1 1/2
222
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 3 1/2
219
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(+3 1/2); Over
NBA
Long Sheet
Tuesday, April 23
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SAN ANTONIO (50 - 36) at DENVER (56 - 30) - 4/23/2019, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) after allowing 115 points or more this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 16-28 ATS (-14.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) in home games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 1092-958 ATS (+38.2 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 160-119 ATS (+29.1 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 33-14 ATS (+17.6 Units) when tied in a playoff series since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 28-8 ATS (+19.2 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 224-158 ATS (+50.2 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 35-26 ATS (+6.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
DENVER is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 22-34 ATS (-15.4 Units) after scoring 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 9-6 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 9-6 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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OKLAHOMA CITY (50 - 36) at PORTLAND (56 - 30) - 4/23/2019, 10:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 10-6 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 10-6 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
10 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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ORLANDO (43 - 43) at TORONTO (61 - 25) - 4/23/2019, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in home games in April games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) in home games after allowing 90 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 46-37 ATS (+5.3 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) against Atlantic division opponents this season.
ORLANDO is 24-15 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ORLANDO is 38-29 ATS (+6.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
ORLANDO is 38-28 ATS (+7.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
ORLANDO is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 8-7 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 10-5 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
11 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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BROOKLYN (43 - 43) at PHILADELPHIA (54 - 32) - 4/23/2019, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 143-116 ATS (+15.4 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 52-36 ATS (+12.4 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 160-124 ATS (+23.6 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) after a division game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 45-29 ATS (+13.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 78-56 ATS (+16.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 45-25 ATS (+17.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 92-75 ATS (+9.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 50-37 ATS (+9.3 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) in road games this season.
BROOKLYN is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 220 over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 32-17 ATS (+13.3 Units) in road games in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 21-7 ATS (+13.3 Units) in road games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
BROOKLYN is 38-21 ATS (+14.9 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
BROOKLYN is 34-15 ATS (+17.5 Units) in road games after a division game since 1996.
BROOKLYN is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games revenging a home loss vs opponent this season.
BROOKLYN is 33-18 ATS (+13.2 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BROOKLYN is 52-37 ATS (+11.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN 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.
BROOKLYN is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 38-25 ATS (+10.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
BROOKLYN is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 8-7 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 11-5 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up
Tuesday, April 23
Embiid scored 31 points, had 16 boards in Philly’s 112-108 Game 4 win; Nets were outscored 27-17 in 4th quarter. 76ers lead series, 3-1 can close it out here; they’re 7-3 in last 10 games overall against the Nets. Sixers beat Brooklyn by 16 without Embiid in Game 3. Nets’ bench was +74 in Game 1 win; it’s been -7/-7/-32 in three games since. Brooklyn was 20-77 on arc in its last two games, after going 26-62 in two games at Philly. Seven of 76ers’ last ten games went over; four of last six series games went over.
Spurs were up 12 after first quarter of Game 4, but lost 117-103; series is 2-2. Denver was held to 96-108 points in its two series losses; they scored 114-117 in their two wins. Nuggets made 30-59 on arc in last two games; their starters were +64 Saturday. Nokic had 29 points. 12 rebounds, 8 assists. White was held to 8 points Saturday after scoring 36 in Game 3; San Antonio bench is -82 in its last three games. Spurs took 32 FT’s in both Games 3-4; they took 20-25 in Games 1-2 in Denver. Five of last eight series games stayed under the total. Home side won 12 of last 14 series games.
Raptors shot 53.3% from floor, crushed Orlando by 22 in Game 4; they can end series here. Orlando shot 14-29 on arc in its one series win- they’re 29-111 on arc in three games since then. Toronto won nine of its last 11 games overall; they covered three of last four home games, are 9-3 in last dozen games with Orlando. Nine of last 11 series games stayed under, including all four games in this series. Lowry was +26 in Game 4; he is +75 in series- Toronto is -22 with him off floor. Magic bench was only 8-24 from floor in Sunday’s loss.
Westbrook was 5-21, George 8-21 from floor in Sunday’s 111-98 home loss; Trailblazers can end series here. Thunder is 30-69 on arc in last two games, after going 10-61 in Games 1-2 here. OKC got to line only 22 times in Game 4, after averaging 30 in first three games. 10 of last 14 Thunder games stayed under. Portland won 18 of its last 22 games overall; Lillard/McCollum combined for 51 points in Sunday’s win. Trailblazers covered their last five home games. Seven of last ten series games stayed under.
NBA
Tuesday, April 23
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Trend Report
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Orlando Magic
Orlando is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Orlando is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games
Orlando is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Orlando is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 7 games on the road
Orlando is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Orlando's last 8 games when playing Toronto
Orlando is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Orlando is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games
Toronto is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Orlando
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing Orlando
Toronto is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Orlando
Brooklyn Nets
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games
Brooklyn is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games on the road
Brooklyn is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Brooklyn is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Brooklyn's last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Brooklyn is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Brooklyn's last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Philadelphia's last 18 games
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Brooklyn
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing Brooklyn
Philadelphia is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games
San Antonio is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of San Antonio's last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of San Antonio's last 11 games on the road
San Antonio is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Denver
San Antonio is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Denver
San Antonio is 16-6 ATS in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Denver
San Antonio is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver Nuggets
Denver is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Denver's last 8 games
Denver is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Denver is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Denver's last 14 games at home
Denver is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing San Antonio
Denver is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing San Antonio
Denver is 6-16 ATS in its last 22 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games
Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oklahoma City's last 10 games when playing Portland
Oklahoma City is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Portland
Oklahoma City is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Portland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games
Portland is 4-1 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 14 of Portland's last 18 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Portland's last 10 games when playing Oklahoma City
Portland is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Portland is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma CityRemember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
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TUESDAY, APRIL 23
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS
ORL at TOR 07:00 PM
ORL +12.0
U 206.0
BK at PHI 08:00 PM
PHI -8.5
O 229.5
SA at DEN 09:30 PM
DEN -5.5
O 211.5
OKC at POR 10:30 PM
POR -4.0
U 221.0Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....Comment
Comment