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

[StarDust Bum]

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

DEN at ORL 07:00 PM
DEN -4.5
O 206.0

GS at CLE 07:00 PM
GS -11.0
U 219.5

WAS at ATL 07:30 PM
U 229.0

OKC at BK 07:30 PM
O 220.5

LAC at MEM 08:00 PM
LAC +2.0
O 209.0

CHA at MIN 08:00 PM
O 221.0

DAL at NO 08:00 PM
DAL +6.5
O 228.0

DET at MIL 08:00 PM
U 226.5

PHI at TOR 08:00 PM
TOR -6.5
O 229.5

SA at LAL 10:30 PM
O 225.0

[StarDust Bum]

Stephen Curry scores 42 points, Warriors rout Cavaliers
December 5, 2018
By The Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) Stephen Curry made nine 3-pointers and scored 42 points, Kevin Durant added 25 and the Golden State Warriors came back to face a very different looking Cleveland team for the first time since winning another NBA title, and beat the Cavaliers 129-105 on Wednesday night.

Curry scored nine points in less than a minute midway through the fourth quarter to help the Warriors pull away for their eighth straight over their former Finals rivals.

Curry added nine rebounds, seven assists and appears completely healed after missing 11 games with a strained groin. Durant had 10 rebounds and nine assists.

It was Golden State's first visit to Cleveland since June, when the Warriors completed a sweep to win their third championship in four years.

Nothing looked the same.

The Cavaliers lost LeBron James over the summer as a free agent and are starting from scratch after a four-year run as Eastern Conference champions. Cleveland also is playing without injured All-Star Kevin Love, forward J.R. Smith is on a forced hiatus and the team recently traded Kyle Korver.

Tristan Thompson, one of the only holdovers from those powerful Cleveland teams, had 19 rebounds and 14 points. Rookie Collin Sexton scored 20 points for Cleveland.

THUNDER 114, NETS 112

NEW YORK (AP) - Paul George scored 25 of his 47 points in a sensational fourth quarter, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds left that lifted Oklahoma City past Brooklyn.

George rallied the Thunder from a 23-point deficit and finished a point shy of his career high, leading them to a fourth straight victory in a game they trailed big for much of the way.

Russell Westbrook had his 108th career triple-double to snap a tie with former Nets star and coach Jason Kidd for third in NBA history, finishing with 21 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds.

Allen Crabbe scored 22 points and tied a season high with seven 3-pointers for New Jersey.

RAPTORS 113, 76ERS 102

TORONTO (AP) - Kawhi Leonard had 36 points, Jonas Valanciunas scored 18 of his season-high 26 in the fourth quarter and Toronto handed Philadelphia its 13th consecutive loss in Canada.

Serge Ibaka added 18 points to help the Raptors bounce back from a loss to Denver to win for the ninth time in 10 games. Toronto is an NBA-best 21-5, and improved to 11-3 at home.

Jimmy Butler scored a season-high 38 points and had 10 rebounds for Philadelphia.

NUGGETS 124, MAGIC 118, OT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Jamal Murray scored 31 points and Denver shut down Orlando in overtime for its seventh straight victory.

After Terence Ross tied it for Orlando with a 3-pointer with 6.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets outscored the Magic 9-2 until Nikola Vucevic dunked for the Magic's first field goal of the overtime session with just 1:04 left.

Paul Millsap added 18 points for Denver, and center Nikola Jokic had 12 points, eight rebounds and 13 assists. Evan Fournier led Orlando with 26 points before fouling out in overtime. Nikola Vucevic added 24 points and 15 rebounds.

TIMBERWOLVES 121, HORNETS 104

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Karl-Anthony Towns scored 35 points, Andrew Wiggins added a season-high 26 points and Minnesota beat Charlotte for its sixth victory in seven games.

Towns tied a career high with six blocks and had 12 rebounds. Wiggins tied season highs with six rebounds and five assists. Jeff Teague had a season-high 18 assists, and Taj Gibson added 11 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota. Jeremy Lamb had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Charlotte, and Nicholas Batum also finished with 18 points.

PELICANS 132, MAVERICKS 106

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Julius Randle had 27 points and 18 rebounds to help New Orleans beat Dallas.

Anthony Davis had 27 points, a career-high nine assists and five blocks despite twisting his ankle and briefly leaving the court for treatment after stepping on Dorian Finney-Smith's foot.

Jrue Holiday had 17 points and four steals for New Orleans.

Harrison Barnes had 16 points for Dallas.

WIZARDS 131, HAWKS 117

ATLANTA (AP) - Bradley Beal scored a season-high 36 points, Otto Porter Jr. had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Washington beat Atlanta for its third straight victory.

Wizards star guard John Wall missed the game because of personal reasons.

John Collins had a career-high 26 points and added 14 rebounds for Atlanta.

BUCKS 115, PISTONS 9

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Eric Bledsoe matched his season high with 27 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 15 in Milwaukee's victory over Detroit.

Milwaukee countered an opening basket with nine consecutive points and did not trail after that. The Bucks led 30-21 after one quarter, 56-45 at halftime and then opened the third period with a 19-4 run.

Blake Griffin had 31 points for the Pistons.

GRIZZLIES 96, CLIPPERS 86

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Mike Conley scored 22 points, JaMychal Green had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Memphis held Los Angeles to a season scoring low.

Memphis held Los Angeles to 34 percent shooting and forced 19 turnovers. Boban Marjanovic led the Clippers with a season-high 19 points and had eight rebounds.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 6, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:05 PM New York Knicks Boston Celtics TD Garden
10:05 PM Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers Moda Center at the Rose Quarter
10:35 PM Houston Rockets Utah Jazz Vivint Smart Home Arena

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

NBA RECORD AND BEST BETS:


DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

12/05/2018 9-6-0 60.00% +12.00
12/04/2018 6-4-0 60.00% +8.00
12/03/2018 3-9-0 25.00% -34.50
12/02/2018 6-6-0 50.00% -3.00
12/01/2018 7-7-0 50.00% -3.50

Record:..........31-32-0.......49.20%--- -21.00


NBA BEST BETS:

DATE......................ATS...................UN ITS...................O/U...................UNITS..............TOTAL

12/05/2018............2 - 2..................-1.00....................6 - 4................+8.00................+7.00
12/04/2018............2 - 1.................+4.50...................1 - 2..................-6.00................-1.50
12/03/2018............1 - 3.................-11.50...................1 - 2.................-6.00.................17.50
12/02/2018............1 - 3.................-11.50...................2 - 1.................+4.50................-7.00
12/01/2018............2 - 2.................- 1.00....................3 - 4..................-7.00................-8.00

Record:.................8 - 11................-20.50.................13 - 13...............-6.50.................-27.00

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday’s 6-pack

XFL is going to be a spring football league that starts in 2020 in these cities:

— Dallas (Globe Life Park)

— Houston (TDECU Stadium)

— Carson, CA (where the Chargers play now)

— New Jersey (Met Life Stadium)

— Seattle (Century Link Field)

— St Louis (Edward Jones Dome)

— Tampa (Raymond James Stadium)

— Washington DC (Audi Field)

Tweet of the Day
“Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and I got lucky.”
Titans’ QB Marcus Mariota, talking about Sunday’s comeback win

Thursday’s quiz
Who was the Tennessee Titans’ coach in their only Super Bowl appearance?

Wednesday’s quiz
When George H. W. Bush was President, Dan Quayle was the Vice President.

Tuesday’s quiz
Ray Malavasi, Dick Vermeil and Mike Martz have coached the Rams in a Super Bowl.

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

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

13) Arizona Diamondbacks traded their star 1B Paul Goldschmidt to the Cardinals Wednesday for P Luke Weaver, C Carson Kelly, a minor-leaguer and a draft pick.

12) Denver Broncos’ WR Emmanuel Sanders tore his achilles in practice Wednesday, and is obviously out for the season. Sanders caught 71 balls for 898 yards this season.

Within two hours of Sanders going down, Denver scooped up WR Andre Holmes off waivers from Buffalo. Holmes had previously played for OC Bill Musgrave in Oakland.

11) There are 130 I-A college football teams; 10 of them are now coached by guys who were at one time, assistant coaches at Alabama under Nick Saban. Colorado hired Mel Tucker this week, the latest former Saban aide to get his own program to run.

10) AAF is a spring football that starts in a couple months; they have eight teams and some big name coaches.

XFL is another spring football league that will start in 2020 and won’t be like the goofy XFL that played in 2001, for one year only. Vince McMahon still owns the XFL; they’ll have eight teams, Oliver Luck is the commissioner- they’re going to pay their QB’s around $250,000 a year.

9) San Antonio Spurs are only the 5th team in NBA history to lose three games by 30+ points within a week and they’re the first since the 2005-06 Trail Blazers.

8) Adam Ottavino is a relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies; he was on MLB Network the other day and he was saying how his father is a character actor in Hollywood who has been seen on Law and Order, NYPD Blue and in the movie Presumed Innocent, among others.

7) Washington Redskins signed QB Josh Johnson to back up Mark Sanchez; Johnson was the 5th-round draft pick by Tampa Bay in ’08- he’s played in parts of 29 NFL games, is 0-5 as an NFL starter. He hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since ’14- he hasn’t thrown a pass since ’11.

Johnson played his college ball at the U of San Diego (not San Diego State) where his coach was current Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

6) When Notre Dame basketball player Rex Pflueger was in junior high, he was the QB of his 7th grade football team; one of his teammates was Sam Darnold, who is now obviously a QB in the NFL the first-round pick of the Jets last spring.

5) Fresno State is favored over Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl; it is only the 11th time in last 80 meetings between the two leagues that the Mountain West team is favored over a Pac-12 opponent.

4) Georgia State 83, Alabama 80— This game happened Tuesday night, when the Crimson Tide led by 21 at halftime and then lost. Georgia State had lost their previous game to Liberty by 26, so this was a terrible loss for Alabama.

3) Miami, FL was picked to finish in the middle of the pack in ACC basketball this winter, but they’ve now lost four games in a row, the last two to Ivy League teams, so it could be a long winter for the Hurricanes.

2) ACC football teams are 2-5 vs SEC opponents this year, 0-7 vs spread.

1) One of three.soldiers killed by an IED explosion last week in Afghanistan.was a man named Drew Ross, who was the son of former Georgia Tech/Chargers’ coach Bobby Ross. and was in his second tour of duty overseas. RIP to all three people who passed away; very sad thing.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Thursday, December 6


New York @ Boston

Game 701-702
December 6, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
114.056
Boston
123.709
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 9 1/2
220
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 13
217 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(+13); Over

Phoenix @ Portland

Game 703-704
December 6, 2018 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
108.457
Portland
113.333
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Portland
by 5
225
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 14
216
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(+14); Over

Houston @ Utah

Game 705-706
December 6, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
114.685
Utah
123.471
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 9
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Utah
by 2
216
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(-2); Over




NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, December 6

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NEW YORK (8 - 17) at BOSTON (13 - 10) - 12/6/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 70-50 ATS (+15.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 28-10 ATS (+17.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 16-3 ATS (+12.7 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 45-31 ATS (+10.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-4 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-3 straight up against NEW YORK 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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PHOENIX (4 - 20) at PORTLAND (13 - 11) - 12/6/2018, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 45-59 ATS (-19.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 25-37 ATS (-15.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 19-32 ATS (-16.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
PHOENIX is 178-139 ATS (+25.1 Units) after allowing 115 points or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-3 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 7-1 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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HOUSTON (11 - 12) at UTAH (12 - 13) - 12/6/2018, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 47-31 ATS (+12.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 107-68 ATS (+32.2 Units) in road games off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
HOUSTON is 91-63 ATS (+21.7 Units) in road games after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 8-5 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 9-4 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, December 6

New York lost three of its last four games; they’re 3-5 vs spread in their last eight road games. Four of their last six games stayed under the total. Celtics won four of their last five games; they’re 4-2 vs spread in last six home games. Boston’s last four games went over. Knicks lost seven of last ten games with Boston; they’re 2-3 vs spread in their last five visits to Beantown. Five of last seven games stayed under the total.

Phoenix lost its last six games (0-6 vs spread); they’re 3-9 vs spread on road this season. Four of their last five games stayed under. Trailblazers lost six of their last seven games; they’re 1-10 vs spread in their last 11 games, 0-3 in last three home tilts. Over is 7-2 in their last nine games. Portland won its last seven games with Phoenix but the Suns covered last three; Phoenix is 4-1 vs spread in its last five visits to Oregon. Last four series games played here went over the total.

Houston lost five of its last seven games; they’re 2-6 vs spread in last eight road games. Eight of their last nine games went over the total. Utah won four of its last six games; they’re 4-5 vs spread at home this year. Six of their last nine games went over. Jazz lost eight of their last ten games with Houston; under is 5-2 in last seven series games. Rockets covered their last four visits to Salt Lake City.




NBA

Thursday, December 6

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Trend Report
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New York Knicks
New York is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
New York is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 6 games
New York is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
New York is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New York's last 8 games on the road
New York is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 7 games when playing Boston
New York is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Celtics
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games
Boston is 16-5 ATS in its last 21 games at home
Boston is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games at home
Boston is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing New York
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing at home against New York

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games
Phoenix is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Phoenix is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Phoenix is 15-8 ATS in its last 23 games when playing Portland
Phoenix is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Portland
Phoenix is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Phoenix is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Portland is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Portland's last 9 games
Portland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Portland's last 8 games at home
Portland is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games when playing Phoenix
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
Portland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Portland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix

Houston Rockets
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games when playing Utah
Houston is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Houston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Houston's last 9 games
Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games on the road
Houston is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Utah
Houston is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Utah
Houston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Utah
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Houston's last 15 games when playing on the road against Utah
Utah Jazz
Utah is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Utah is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 6 games
Utah is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games at home
Utah is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 5 games at home
Utah is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Houston
Utah is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 7 games when playing Houston
Utah is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
Utah is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Utah's last 15 games when playing at home against Houston

[StarDust Bum]

Inside the Paint - Thursday
Chris David

If you bet the favorites in the NBA last night, then accept our congratulations as the ‘chalk’ went 10-0 straight up and 8-1-1 against the spread. The ‘over’ went 7-3 and that combination usually buries the folks behind the counter.

Tonight’s card isn’t easy but we’re focusing on a quality matchup between Houston and Utah, who met in the second round of last year’s Western Conference playoffs.

Houston (11-12 SU, 9-14 ATS) at Utah (12-13 SU, 12-13 ATS)

With a quarter of the season in the books, I don’t think many pundits would’ve expected both Houston and Utah to sit below .500 but that’s the case when the pair meet from Salt Lake City on Thursday. Injuries have played a toll on both teams and VegasInsider.com NBA expert Tony Mejia believes both clubs will get things together before the season really picks up in 2019.

He explained, “Donovan Mitchell hasn’t been healthy for most of the season and has had so many off nights that you might think he’s got a touch of Markelle Fultz’s Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He opened December by shooting 1-for-7 from beyond the arc in a 102-100 loss to the Heat in which he missed 16 of 24 shots. Last season’s Rookie of the Year runner-up has had games where he’s gone 1-for-11 and 0-for-7 from 3-point range, so bouncing back to shoot 4-for-6 in Wednesday’s blowout win over the Spurs is a great sign for the Jazz, who have to be hoping this early-season slump comes to an end here shortly. Mitchell scored a season-best 38 points, hitting 14-for-25 shots in 100-89 win on Oct. 24 over Houston.”

“That outburst is a big deal because Mitchell only won one of nine games against Houston as a rookie, largely struggling as the Rockets swept the regular-season series before winning the Western Conference semifinal series 4-1. Getting their shooting guard going to ensure Chris Paul and James Harden have to work on the defensive end will determine whether the Jazz will hold serve at home and it bodes well that he’s done his best work thus far. Mitchell is shooting 35 percent from 3-point range in Salt Lake City as opposed to 29 percent on the road, so keep that in mind if you’re considering riding the Rockets or the under,” Mejia added.

The Rockets were listed as one-point underdogs in the October meeting Paul was suspended for that game due to his run-in with Rondo and the Lakers. For the rematch, Utah opened as a two-point home favorite and considering it was catching 4 ½ and six points in last year’s playoffs, it shows you the respect given to the Jazz from the oddsmakers or the lack of respect for the Rockets.

As Mejia mentioned, Houston got the better of Utah last year and that included a perfect 4-0 record both SU and ATS from Vivint Smart Home Arena. While that mark is impressive, the Rockets limp into this matchup with a dreadful road record (6-7 SU, 5-8 ATS) and that includes a 1-4 run heading into this game. On Monday, Houston dropped a 103-91 decision at Minnesota and it was only able to muster up nine points in the fourth quarter.

Backing Utah at home has been a great investment (3-6 SU, 3-6 ATS) but it is coming off 139-105 win over San Antonio on Tuesday as an eight-point ‘chalk’ while drilling 20-of-33 (61%) bombs from 3-point land. That victory improved the Jazz to 5-1 versus teams below .500 and while Houston is still considered a contender, it’s currently a losing club as noted above.

The total on this game opened 218 and dropped quickly to 216 ½ and I was surprised by the move. Utah has been a great ‘over’ team at home (8-1) and Houston has started to regain its form as an ‘over’ club too. Despite the scoring drought in the final 12 minutes against the T-Wolves on Monday, Houston was averaging 121.6 points per game in its previous eight games and that led to an 8-0 ‘over’ run.

After this game, the Rockets head to Dallas on Friday while the Jazz get a quick rematch at San Antonio on Sunday.

There are two other games on tap for Thursday and, based on the opening numbers, are expecting a pair of blowouts.

New York at Boston (-12 ½, Total 218 ½)

Quick revenge game for the Celtics, who lost to the Knicks 117-109 on Nov. 21 as 14 ½-point home favorites. Since that setback, Boston has won and covered four of its last five and the offense is finally coming together. The unit is averaging 117.6 PPG during this stretch and that’s helped the ‘over’ go 4-1. Despite owning a lowing record (8-17), the Knicks have returned profits for bettors (14-10-1 ATS) this season. The issue for New York is its defense (114.4 PPG) and if you’re taking the points, then you better hope they get into the 110-120 range offensively. Backing Boston as a home favorite (6-3 SU, 5-4 ATS) hasn’t been a smart decision but they have covered in five of their six wins. As a double-digit favorite this season, the Celtics have gone 2-2 both SU and ATS. Including the aforementioned upset at TD Garden a couple weeks ago, the Knicks are 1-5 SU and 2-3-1 ATS as double-digit underdogs. Total bettors should note that the ‘over’ has gone 5-1 in those games and we’ve seen the number for the rematch open a few points higher (218 ½ from 215 ½).

Phoenix at Portland (-14, Total 215)

I try not to back an underdog with the points unless I believe they can win the game outright and right now, I don’t see how you can justify taking Phoenix in this spot especially with both Devin Booker (hamstring) and TJ Warren (ankle) on the sidelines for the Suns. Portland could be missing CJ McCollum (ankle) as well tonight and making a case for the Trail Blazers is next to impossible. The club has dropped eight straight games ATS and they’re 2-6 straight up during this span. Portland has better home numbers (8-4 SU, 7-5 ATS) but its current form should have most passing tonight. For what it’s worth, the Suns have gone 1-7 SU and 4-4 ATS as double-digit underdogs this season. The Blazers have won seven straight against the Suns in this series but they’re just 3-4 ATS.

[Udog]

Hoop Trends - Thursday
Vince Akins

ATS Play ON Trend of the Day:

The Celtics are 12-0-1 ATS (9.81 ppg) off a win as a dog in which they had at least 30% of their points from threes

ATS Play AGAINST Trend of the Day:

The Jazz are 0-8-1 ATS (-4.67 ppg) as a home favorite with less than two days rest after they shot 50% or better from beyond the arc with at least 10 attempts.

OU Play OVER Trend of the Day:

The Knicks are 9-0 OU (18.28 ppg) as a dog with more than one day of rest.

OU Play UNDER Trend of the Day:

The Celtics are 0-9 OU (-10.33 ppg) off a win as a dog where they were outscored in the paint by double digits.

[Udog]

By: Monique Vág



Quick off the blocks

The Celtics host the Knicks as 13-point favorites and both teams have gotten off to quick starts over their previous three games. The Celtics average 31 first-quarter points and 58.7 for the half over that span, while the Knicks average 29 in the first quarter, and 56.7 for the half.

In the head-to-head over their most recent three contests, the Knicks have gotten out to a better start with a halftime average of 56.3 points. With such a large spread, it is imperative the Knicks come out and play with a sense of urgency, otherwise this game will be over quick. Take the Knicks to keep it close early and back them on the first-half spread of +7.5.


Leading the offensive charge

Tim Hardaway Jr. was efficient in the first meeting between these two in November, going eight of 19 from the floor, including four of seven from behind the arc. He added four rebounds, and four assists to go along with 21 points in a Knicks eight point victory.

Although his stats have dipped a little bit, he's still New York's best offensive weapon and should finish the game with the most field goals attempted and points scored for his team. Look for him to find success once again and back his points, rebounds, and assists total Over 26.5.


Blazers looking to break out of slump

The Blazers are happy to return home, where they are 8-4 on the season. Portland has been in a huge slump lately losing seven of their most recent 10 games, but are 13.5-point favorites against a Suns team who are once again missing Devin Booker.

Phoenix has been terrible away from home winning only one of 11 games. They have not been any better historically versus the Blazers going 0-5 over their most recent five meetings. Scoring points in the first half has been an issue for Phoenix as they rank last in the Association with 50.7 points per game. Expect the Blazers to come out desperate for a win, and take their first half spread -7.5.


Ugly on offense

Continuing with the Suns' struggles on the offensive end of the floor, they average just 103 points a contest. The Suns have been held under 100 points nine times this season, and three times over their most recent four games. Back their team total Under 102.


Playing trends

Both the Rockets and Jazz enter today's contest in Salt Lake City relatively healthy, with no notable names on the injury report. Both sides have similar stats across the board, so it is no surprise their records are almost identical as well.

Over their most recent three games, both teams have played solid defense. Opponents have shot 44.5 percent versus the Rockets, and 46 percent versus the Jazz over that stretch. In the head-to-head between these two, the Under has hit in five of the most recent seven games, including 10 of the last 15 in Utah. Look into backing the trend, and taking the Under 215.5.

[StarDust Bum]

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

NY at BOS 08:00 PM
NY +13.5
U 218.0

PHO at POR 10:00 PM
POR -12.5
U 212.5

HOU at UTA 10:30 PM
HOU +1.5
O 215.0

[StarDust Bum]

Lillard and Layman lead Blazers to 108-86 win over the Suns
December 6, 2018
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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Damian Lillard had 25 points and eight assists before sitting for the final quarter and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 108-86 rout of the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.

Jake Layman came off the bench to score a career-high 24 points for the Blazers, who had lost six of their last seven games. Portland led by as many as 31 points.

Troy Daniels had a season-high 15 points for the struggling Suns, who were held to nine points in the first quarter for the second consecutive game and have lost seven straight. Phoenix has just four victories this season, and just one on the road.

The Suns started three rookies, Elie Okobo, Mikal Bridges and center Deandre Ayton for the second straight game and third time this season. Phoenix missed T.J. Warren for the fourth straight game because of right ankle soreness and Devin Booker for the second game because of a left hamstring strain. Booker is the team's top scorer, averaging 23.5 points, while Warren averages 17.7.

The Blazers were without starting guard CJ McCollum because of a sprained left ankle. McCollum was hurt in the fourth quarter of Portland's 111-102 loss at Dallas on Tuesday. Seth Curry started in his place against the Suns.

The Blazers barely missed McCollum, jumping out to a 26-5 lead after Lillard's 3-pointer. Lillard and Layman both had 15 points in the period.

Portland led by as many as 27 points in the first half and went into the break ahead 62-41. The gap remained at 20-plus points throughout the third quarter as the Blazers took an 87-61 lead into the final period.

Suns guard Jamal Crawford showed frustration at the end of the third by slamming the ball down before heading to the bench.

It was the first of a back-to-back for the Suns, who host Miami on Friday.

TIP-INS

Suns: It was the first of three meetings this season between the teams. ... The Suns trailed Sacramento 36-9 after one on Tuesday.

Trail Blazers: It was the first of a short two-game homestand for Portland before a quick two-game road trip. ... It was Portland's eighth straight victory over the Suns. .... Portland got 57 points from its bench.

UP NEXT

The Suns host the Heat on Friday.

The Trail Blazers host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.


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

Irving leads Celtics past Knicks 128-100
December 6, 2018
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BOSTON (AP) Kyrie Irving heard all of the doubts when the Celtics, who were among the favorites to win the Eastern Conference, still had a .500 record through Thanksgiving.

The low point may have been a home loss to the Knicks that snapped New York's six-game losing streak.

''I was thinking about it since we lost to them,'' the Celtics point guard said after scoring 22 points to coast past the Knicks 128-100 on Thursday night and exact a measure of revenge for the embarrassing earlier loss. ''I remember players from other teams asking about what's going on when we were 10-10.''

Irving also had eight assists before leaving the game with about four minutes left, rubbing his right shoulder and swinging it around in pain. He raised his hand for coach Brad Stevens to take him out of the game but couldn't get his attention and instead walked to the bench at the next whistle.

The shoulder was wrapped in ice when he walked off the court at the end of the game. Irving thought it was his AC joint and said he would be OK.

''I think he got hit,'' Stevens said. ''He didn't seem too concerned about it, but he's going to get looked over, as usual.''

Al Horford had 19 points and 12 rebounds for Boston, and Jaylen Brown returned after missing three games with a bruised lower back and scored a season-high 21 points. Jayson Tatum added 17 for the Celtics, who won their fourth straight game.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22 for New York, which has lost four of its last five games. Enes Kanter had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Noah Vonleh had 12 and 10.

''Not going to win in this league giving up 30 points per quarter,'' Hardaway said. ''Need to do a better job as a team and individually, including myself.''

NOT EVEN CLOSE

The Celtics scored the first three baskets of the game and never trailed. They led by eight after one, by 11 after two and by 15 points after scoring eight straight to make it 97-82 near the end of the third quarter.

New York was within 12 with five minutes remaining before Boston scored the next 11 points on baskets from five different players.

''Terrible defense tonight. We just didn't have it,'' Knicks coach David Fizdale said. ''Thought we were right there slugging away with them, but in the fourth we couldn't keep up.''

LAST TIME

The Celtics, who went to the Eastern Conference finals last year, were expected to be one of the league's top teams after getting Irving and Gordon Hayward back from injuries. But New York won 117-109 in Boston on Nov. 21 loss and sent the Celtics to their third loss in a row.

Stevens wondered aloud after that one whether his team was ''that good.''

''Maybe it's not a wake-up call if you keep getting beat,'' he said.

But Boston is 5-1 since then.

''Disappointing loss against them recently here,'' Horford said on Thursday. ''We just wanted to come out and set the tone from the beginning and I felt like we were able to do that. ... We played much better, and I felt better tonight.''

TIP-INS

Knicks: Both teams shot better than 60 percent in the first quarter, but the Knicks were just 8 for 26 in the second. ... Hardaway went down to the floor after taking an elbow from Marcus Morris Sr. in the head. The play was ruled a flagrant foul. Hardaway returned a few minutes later. ... Kanter had his seventh double-double in his last nine games.

Celtics: The Celtics wore green, white and yellow jerseys reminiscent of the 1980s, and they enhanced the theme by using graphics on the scoreboard from the time. During breaks, they showed video of a Green Line train approaching the original Boston Garden on elevated tracks, neither of which exists anymore. ... Aron Baynes limped off in the last two minutes of the first quarter. The team said he had a left ankle injury and he did not return.

UP NEXT

Knicks: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday

Celtics: Visit the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.


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

UTAH 118, HOUSTON 91

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 7, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:05 PM Denver Nuggets Charlotte Hornets Spectrum Center
7:05 PM Indiana Pacers Orlando Magic Amway Center
7:05 PM Philadelphia 76ers Detroit Pistons Little Caesars Arena
7:35 PM Sacramento Kings Cleveland Cavaliers Quicken Loans Arena
7:35 PM Toronto Raptors Brooklyn Nets Barclays Center
8:05 PM Memphis Grizzlies New Orleans Pelicans Smoothie King Center
8:05 PM Oklahoma City Thunder Chicago Bulls United Center
8:35 PM Los Angeles Lakers San Antonio Spurs AT&T Center
9:05 PM Miami Heat Phoenix Suns Talking Stick Resort Arena
9:35 PM Golden State Warriors Milwaukee Bucks Fiserv Forum


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


NBA RECORD AND BEST BETS:


DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

12/06/2018 2-4-0 33.33% -12.00
12/05/2018 9-6-0 60.00% +12.00
12/04/2018 6-4-0 60.00% +8.00
12/03/2018 3-9-0 25.00% -34.50
12/02/2018 6-6-0 50.00% -3.00
12/01/2018 7-7-0 50.00% -3.50

Record:..........33-36-0.......47.82%--- -33.00


NBA BEST BETS:

DATE......................ATS...................UN ITS...................O/U...................UNITS..............TOTAL


12/06/2018............1 - 2..................-6.00....................1 - 2.................-6.00................-12.00
12/05/2018............2 - 2..................-1.00....................6 - 4................+8.00................+7.00
12/04/2018............2 - 1.................+4.50...................1 - 2..................-6.00................-1.50
12/03/2018............1 - 3.................-11.50...................1 - 2.................-6.00.................17.50
12/02/2018............1 - 3.................-11.50...................2 - 1.................+4.50................-7.00
12/01/2018............2 - 2.................- 1.00....................3 - 4..................-7.00................-8.00

Record:.................9 - 13................-26.50.................14 - 15...............-12.50...............-39.00

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s 6-pack

Paul Goldschmidt’s % of knocking in a runner from 3rd base:
2018: 17-70, 24.3%
2017: 27-79, 36.5%
2016: 33-95, 34.7%
2015: 33-74, 44.6%
2014: 29-46, 45.7%
2013: 34-76, 44.7%
2012: 25-69: 36.2%
2011: 9-31, 29.0%

Tweet of the Day
“The gist of the conversation was more along the lines of just a friend reaching out to another friend, but as far as that concerns of him helping us out, or different things like that, anytime that you can have a coach of his caliber that wants to be around and be able to be an extra set of eyes, has a great vision for offense but also just football in general.

Those are things that when you have some rare friendships like I’ve been fortunate to form in this profession, you want to be able to, No. 1 be supportive of your buddy, but No. 2 if it’s something that can help you improve as a team, if somebody wanted to do that, we’re always looking for ways to do that.”
Sean McVay, talking about Kliff Kingsbury

Friday’s quiz
Which NFL owner made his fortune when he invented the seamless bumper that is used on cars now?

Thursday’s quiz
Jeff Fisher was the Tennessee Titans’ coach in their only Super Bowl appearance, against the Rams; he later became coach of the Rams.

Wednesday’s quiz
When George H. W. Bush was President, Dan Quayle was the Vice President.

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

Friday’s List of 13: Some college knowledge……..

Request for college basketball fans: If you know of an impact transfer who is going to become eligible this month, please e-mail his name/school to me and we’ll post it for everyone’s benefit, because not every school’s semester ends at the same time.

I have two right now:
Butler- Tucker
Western Kentucky- Bearden.

These two teams will be helped because these kids can play now. Adds some depth and increases the talent level.

For today, I’m looking at college basketball conferences so far this season:

13) Big X:
— Kansas (schedule #10)/Texas Tech (schedule #339) haven’t lost yet
— Iowa State is 7-2 but has been missing four guys for various reasons; two of those guys came back two games ago. Cyclones’ bench minutes are #345, but depth is on the way.
— West Virginia is 5-3, has very young guards, and I’m not sure how they get a lot better, unless those young guards suddenly become good young guards.
— Texas is 5-3, losing at home to Radford/VCU. This is Shaka Smart’s 4th year at Texas- his teams at Texas have played tempo #306-212-316-194.

When he was at VCU, Smart’s teams played tempo #69-156-173-91-22-70. Why the difference, other than pressing/trapping is hard unless your players are better athletes than your opponents.

12) Big 14:
— They’re playing 20 conference games now, so teams play two games in December.
— Five teams started conference play 2-0; five started 0-2.
— Illinois is 2-7, the only team under .500
— Seven Big 14 teams are in KenPom.com‘s top 30
— Nebraska, Northwestern are two most experienced teams in league.

11) ACC:
— Duke is #343 in experience, which is why college hoop handicapping has become so difficult, weighing talent against experience. I want Duke to play Nevada in March.
— Virginia is only unbeaten team in the league.
— Pitt was 7-1 before losing at home to Niagara; whoops- they start three freshmen.
— Louisville is 6-2 vs schedule #86 in Chris Mack’s first season; great job so far.
— ACC has eight teams in the top 32
— Miami lost last four games, with three losses by 4 or fewer points.

10) SEC:
— Auburn/Tennessee are two highest-rated teams, a change from normal.
— Kentucky is 7-1 vs schedule #319; they lost 118-84 to Duke- best team they’ve beaten is #71 NC-Greensboro.
— South Carolina was in Final Four two years ago; they’re 21-20 since. Not good.
— Texas A&M is 3-4 vs schedule #204; they’re experience team #274, Could be a down year.
— Vanderbilt lost its star freshman PG Darius Garland for the season (knee)

9) Big East:
— St John’s is 8-0 vs schedule #322; how good are they?
— Georgetown is 7-1 vs schedule #304; same question.
— Only four Big East teams are listed in the top 50.
— Creighton has made 45.8% of its 3’s (#2) so far this season.
— If you were wondering, Indiana State (48.8%) is #1
— Villanova is playing 5th-slowest tempo in country so far.

8) Pac-12:
— Only one team ranked in top 40 and Oregon is only 4-3.
— USC is 0-3 vs top 70 teams; their five wins are vs teams ranked #198 or lower.
— Washington is #1 in country in minutes continuity; they’re 6-3 with two top 10 losses (Auburn/Gonzaga).
— UCLA is 6-2 vs schedule #229; they’re #351 in experience, with two key freshmen out for year with injuries. Best team they’ve beaten so far is #122 LMU.
— Arizona State is 7-0 vs schedule #282, but they were 12-0 in pre-conference play LY, and wound up 20-12.

7) AAC:
— 4 of the slowest 15 tempos in America are teams in the AAC.
— Temple is 7-2 vs schedule #155 in Fran Dunphy’s last season as head coach.
— Central Florida is 6-2, with two losses by total of 3 points.
— Wichita State is 4-3 vs schedule #112; they’re a total rebuild (#343 in MC).
— Memphis is 4-4 vs schedule #54; Tigers start two freshmen, three seniors. Better beat the Tigers now; Penny Hardaway is going to dominate recruiting in Memphis, which will put them in the top 25 sooner rather than later.

6) WCC:
— #8-rated conference right now; they were 14th three years ago, #12 LY.
— Gonzaga is to the WCC what UNLV was to the Big West 30 years ago; huge fish in a small pond that carries the league’s banner on national stage.
— San Diego beat San Diego State, USF pounded Cal Wednesday; middle of pack in this league has improved a lot, but St Mary’s is a bit down.
— LMU is playing pack-line defense like Virginia and it is working- they’re 9-1.
— If BYU jumps into a league for football reasons, who replaces them in WCC? Hawai’i?

5) Mountain West:
— Nevada is 8-0 and starts five 5th-year seniors; will the coach be back next year?
— Wolf Pack is only team in MW in top 60; its a one-bid league, unless someone beats Nevada in the conference tournament.
— Fresno State is #17 experience team that is probably 2nd-best team in league; they’re 6-2 and start three seniors, two juniors.
— Boise State is 2-5, with losses to Idaho State/Drake; could be a down year, after winning 20+ games the last six years.
— UNLV is turning the ball over 24.4% of time and shooting 27.7% on the arc, which is why they’re 4-3 vs schedule #324- their first road game is Saturday at Illinois.

4) Atlantic 14:
— League was #10 LY and is #10 this year, their lowest ranks since 2007.
— A-14 is down right now: #70 Davidson is their highest-rated team.
— Saint Louis was touted this year, but they’re turning ball over 21.7% of time and making only 29.9% of their 3’s. Despite that, they’re 6-2 vs schedule #217.
— VCU has had six coaches since 2002, and no losing records. Big fish, smallish pond, and no football to take resources away from basketball.
— LaSalle changed coaches but change isn’t always positive; they’re 0-9 this season, with losses to Lafayette, Bucknell, Drexel, Grand Canyon- they wouldn’t be the best team in the freakin’ Patriot League.

3) MAC:
— Buffalo is legitimately good; they won at West Virginia, are #42 experience team.
— Toledo is only other MAC team in top 100, so its likely another one-bid year.
— Rockets are 8-1 and making 41.5% of their 3’s; they’re experience team #81.
— You look at Kent State’s 7-1 record, then you look at schedule #343- no thanks.
— Western Michigan is 4-4 vs schedule #314; they’re turning ball over 22.9% of time and making 29.5% of their 3’s, not a good combination.
— Bowling Green has one winning season since 2010; their coach that year was fired because of an incident in a bar, where the coach was drunk and being a jerk. That coach is now at New Mexico State and his team is 7-1- some schools would’ve built the guy his own private bar.

2) Missouri Valley;
— Defections have crippled this league; Wichita State-Creighton were difference-makers.
— Loyola-Chi is their only top 90 team, and they’ve lost three of last four games.
— Evansville’s new coach is former NBA player Walter McCarty; Purple Aces are trying to play faster- they’ll be interesting to follow the next couple years.
— Drake is experience team #116, but #304 in MC, so they’ve been cobbled together by transfers. Bulldogs are also on their third coach in three years, which doesn’t help, but they’re 5-1 so far this season.
— Northern Iowa won 184 games from 2009-16, but they’re 33-37 the last 2+ seasons, so the coach’s seat has to be getting a little warm.

1) Ivy:
— Yale won at Miami, beat Cal, lost in OT at Memphis; their eFG% is #5 in country.
— Harvard is 4-4 vs schedule #28, but they also lost at #274 Siena.
— Columbia is 0-6 vs D-I teams, vs schedule #329. Could be a long winter.
— Penn Quakers are 7-2, are experience team #63- they start two juniors, two seniors.
— Cornell is #34 experience team, lost by only 8 at Syracuse- did Boeheim take it easy on the Big Red because his son plays for Cornell? (No, he didn’t)

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, December 7

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

PHILADELPHIA (17 - 9) at DETROIT (13 - 9) - 12/7/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 113-86 ATS (+18.4 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-16 ATS (+13.4 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 54-30 ATS (+21.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 117-163 ATS (-62.3 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.

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

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INDIANA (14 - 10) at ORLANDO (12 - 13) - 12/7/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) after allowing 115 points or more this season.
INDIANA is 224-169 ATS (+38.1 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
ORLANDO is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
ORLANDO is 36-57 ATS (-26.7 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
ORLANDO is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 6-1 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 7-0 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DENVER (17 - 7) at CHARLOTTE (11 - 13) - 12/7/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 178-224 ATS (-68.4 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 3-1 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 3-1 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SACRAMENTO (12 - 11) at CLEVELAND (5 - 19) - 12/7/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 53-73 ATS (-27.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 22-41 ATS (-23.1 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 23-36 ATS (-16.6 Units) in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 9-22 ATS (-15.2 Units) against Pacific division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 15-27 ATS (-14.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 18-36 ATS (-21.6 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 3-1 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 2-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

TORONTO (21 - 5) at BROOKLYN (8 - 18) - 12/7/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 26-11 ATS (+13.9 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 25-11 ATS (+12.9 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 32-17 ATS (+13.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 25-44 ATS (-23.4 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 5-3 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 8-0 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MEMPHIS (14 - 9) at NEW ORLEANS (13 - 13) - 12/7/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 170-126 ATS (+31.4 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 5-3 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 4-4 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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OKLAHOMA CITY (16 - 7) at CHICAGO (5 - 20) - 12/7/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 36-49 ATS (-17.9 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
CHICAGO is 134-178 ATS (-61.8 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 2-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LA LAKERS (15 - 9) at SAN ANTONIO (11 - 14) - 12/7/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 1058-932 ATS (+32.8 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 840-718 ATS (+50.2 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 33-20 ATS (+11.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 346-287 ATS (+30.3 Units) in the first half of the season since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 300-246 ATS (+29.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 5-4 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 5-5 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MIAMI (9 - 14) at PHOENIX (4 - 20) - 12/7/2018, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 3-1 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 3-1 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

GOLDEN STATE (17 - 9) at MILWAUKEE (16 - 7) - 12/7/2018, 9:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Friday, December 7


Philadelphia @ Detroit

Game 501-502
December 7, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
120.598
Detroit
116.782
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 4
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
by 2
219 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(-2); Under

Indiana @ Orlando

Game 503-504
December 7, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
112.547
Orlando
124.096
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 11 1/2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 2
206 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-2); Over

Denver @ Charlotte

Game 505-506
December 7, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Denver
119.968
Charlotte
120.748
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Charlotte
by 1
224
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Denver
by 1 1/2
218
Dunkel Pick:
Charlotte
(+1 1/2); Over

Sacramento @ Cleveland

Game 507-508
December 7, 2018 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
110.080
Cleveland
115.270
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 5
231
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Sacramento
by 3 1/2
221 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(+3 1/2); Over

Toronto @ Brooklyn

Game 509-510
December 7, 2018 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
124.608
Brooklyn
112.615
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 12
227
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 9
221
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-9); Over

Memphis @ New Orleans

Game 511-512
December 7, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Memphis
115.331
New Orleans
127.081
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 12
234
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Orleans
by 4 1/2
217
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(-4 1/2); Over

Oklahoma City @ Chicago

Game 513-514
December 7, 2018 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
125.310
Chicago
108.749
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 16 1/2
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 8 1/2
216 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(-8 1/2); Under

LA Lakers @ San Antonio

Game 515-516
December 7, 2018 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Lakers
113.966
San Antonio
117.528
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 3 1/2
233
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 1
226
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-1); Over

Miami @ Phoenix

Game 517-518
December 7, 2018 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
117.504
Phoenix
101.744
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 16
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
by 6 1/2
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(-6 1/2); N/A

Golden State @ Milwaukee

Game 519-520
December 7, 2018 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
120.973
Milwaukee
124.693
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 3 1/2
233
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
by 1
240
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(-1); Under

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, December 7

Philly won eight of its last ten games; they’re 0-4 as AF this season. Sixers’ last four games stayed under. Pistons lost last two games by 27-23 points; they won six of last seven home games SU. Detroit’s last four games stayed under. 76ers won five of last six games with Detroit; they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to the Motor City. Six of last nine series stayed under.

Indiana is 3-4 in its last seven games; they’re 3-5 vs spread in last eight road games. Pacers’ last four games stayed under. Magic is 3-5 in their last eight games; they’re 6-7 SU at home, 1-2 as HF. Three of their last four home games went over. Pacers won their last seven games with Orlando (6-1 vs spread); they covered their last five trips to the Magic Kingdom. Three of last four series games went over.

Nuggets won/covered their last seven games; they won their last five road games. Six of their last eight games stayed under the total. Charlotte lost its last three games; they’re 8-5 SU at home. Three of their last four home games stayed under. Hornets won seven of last ten games with Denver (under 8-2); Nuggets are 1-4 vs spread in their last five visits to Charlotte.

Sacramento is 4-3 in its last seven games (5-2 vs spread); they covered six of last nine road games. Eight of their last nine games went over. Cleveland lost five of its last six games; they’re 5-7 vs spread at home. Four of their last six games stayed under. Cavaliers won five of last seven games with Sacramento, but Kings covered last three; four of last six series games went over. Kings are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Cleveland.

Raptors won nine of their last ten games; they’re 4-4-1 as AF. Toronto’s last three games stayed under the total. Brooklyn lost its last eight games (2-6 vs spread); they’re 2-5 in last seven games as HU. Over is 7-4 in their last 11 home games. Toronto won its last 10 games with the Nets (6-4 vs spread); they covered four of their last five visits to Brooklyn. Under is 6-4 in last ten series games.

Grizzlies lost four of their last six games; they’re 5-4 vs spread as AU this season. Three of their last four road games went over. Pelicans lost six of their last nine games; they’re 6-6 as HF. Over is 6-1 in their last seven home games. Home side won last five Memphis-New Orleans games; four of last six series games went under. Grizzlies are 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Bourbon Street.

Oklahoma City won 16 of its last 19 games; they’re 3-2 vs spread as AF this season. Five of their last seven games stayed under the total. Chicago lost its last seven games (3-4 vs spread); they’re 5-4 as HU. Under is 7-2 in their last nine home games. Thunder/Bulls split their last eight games; OKC is 3-2 vs spread in its last five visits to Chicago. Five of last six series games stayed under.

Lakers won/covered their last four games; they won four of last six road games SU. Under is 14-3 in their last 17 games. San Antonio lost four of its last five games; they’re 5-4 as HF. Over is 11-2 in Spurs’ last 13 games. Lakers won five of last seven games with the Spurs; they beat ‘em by 8 in Staples Center couple nights ago. Four of last five series games went over. LA is 2-2 vs spread in its last four trips to the Alamo.

Heat split its last six games (4-2 vs spread); they’re 4-6 SU on road. Seven of their last nine games stayed under the total. Suns lost their last seven games (0-7 vs spread); they’re 0-4 vs spread in last four home games. Five of their last six games stayed under. Miami won/covered nine of last ten games with Phoenix; Heat covered four of their last five visits to the desert. Under is 6-4 in last ten series games.

Warriors won five of last seven games; they’re 2-6 SU in last eight road tilts, 1-2 as AU this year. Six of their last seven games went over. Milwaukee is 1-7 vs spread in game following its last eight wins; they’re 3-5 vs spread in last eight home games. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Bucks won last two games with Golden State, after losing seven of previous eight; Warriors are 2-2 vs spread in their last four visits to Milwaukee. Four of last six series games went over.