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

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Sunday, December 23

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Atlanta is 5-17 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games
Atlanta is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games on the road
Atlanta is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Atlanta's last 13 games when playing Detroit
Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Atlanta is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit Pistons
Detroit is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games
Detroit is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Detroit's last 12 games
Detroit is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games at home
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Detroit's last 13 games when playing Atlanta
Detroit is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Detroit is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing at home against Atlanta

Washington Wizards
Washington is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
Washington is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
Washington is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Washington's last 15 games when playing Indiana
Washington is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Washington is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana Pacers
Indiana is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Indiana is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Indiana's last 13 games
Indiana is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 5 games at home
Indiana is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Indiana's last 15 games when playing Washington
Indiana is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Washington
Indiana is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games when playing at home against Washington

Chicago Bulls
Chicago is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Chicago is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games
Chicago is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Chicago is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games on the road
Chicago is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Cleveland
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Chicago is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Cleveland is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home
Cleveland is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Chicago
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Cleveland is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago

Miami Heat
Miami is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 7 games
Miami is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Miami is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games on the road
Miami is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Orlando
Miami is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Miami's last 12 games when playing Orlando
Miami is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Miami is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando Magic
Orlando is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Orlando is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games
Orlando is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Orlando is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 6 games at home
Orlando is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Miami
Orlando is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Orlando's last 12 games when playing Miami
Orlando is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Miami
Orlando is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Miami
Orlando is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 7 games when playing at home against Miami

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 6-18 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games
Phoenix is 4-21 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 7 games on the road
Phoenix is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Brooklyn
Phoenix is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Brooklyn
Phoenix is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
Phoenix is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Brooklyn is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games
Brooklyn is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Brooklyn is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Brooklyn is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games at home
Brooklyn is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
Brooklyn is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
Brooklyn is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Brooklyn is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Brooklyn's last 6 games when playing at home against Phoenix

Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Charlotte is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Charlotte is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Charlotte is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Boston
Charlotte is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Boston
Charlotte is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Charlotte is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Celtics
Boston is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
Boston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 18-7 ATS in its last 25 games at home
Boston is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games at home
Boston is 10-2-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Charlotte
Boston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Charlotte
Boston is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Charlotte
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Charlotte

New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Orleans's last 7 games
New Orleans is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
New Orleans is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 6 games on the road
New Orleans is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Sacramento
New Orleans is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing Sacramento
New Orleans is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
New Orleans is 8-17 ATS in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
New Orleans is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 7 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games
Sacramento is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Sacramento's last 8 games at home
Sacramento is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
Sacramento is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing New Orleans
Sacramento is 17-8 ATS in its last 25 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Sacramento is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Sacramento is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 7 games when playing at home against New Orleans

Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Minnesota's last 24 games
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Minnesota's last 13 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Minnesota is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games when playing Oklahoma City
Minnesota is 2-15 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Oklahoma City is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Oklahoma City is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing Minnesota
Oklahoma City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Oklahoma City is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Minnesota

Los Angeles Clippers
LA Clippers is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
LA Clippers is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Clippers's last 7 games
LA Clippers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
LA Clippers is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
LA Clippers is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
LA Clippers is 2-13 SU in its last 15 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Clippers's last 5 games when playing Golden State
LA Clippers is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Golden State
LA Clippers is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Golden State
LA Clippers is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Clippers's last 6 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Golden State is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 7 games
Golden State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Golden State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Golden State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
Golden State is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
Golden State is 15-8 ATS in its last 23 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
Golden State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
Golden State is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Clippers

Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Portland
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Portland's last 9 games
Portland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games at home
Portland is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games when playing Dallas
Portland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas

Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Memphis's last 11 games
Memphis is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Memphis is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games on the road
Memphis is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing LA Lakers
Memphis is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing LA Lakers
Memphis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Memphis's last 9 games when playing LA Lakers
Memphis is 2-7-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Memphis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
LA Lakers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
LA Lakers is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of LA Lakers's last 25 games
LA Lakers is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
LA Lakers is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Lakers's last 8 games at home
LA Lakers is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Memphis
LA Lakers is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Memphis
LA Lakers is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Lakers's last 9 games when playing Memphis
LA Lakers is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis
LA Lakers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Lakers's last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis

[StarDust Bum]

Hoop Trends - Sunday
Vince Akins

PLAY-ON TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Celtics are 16-0 ATS (+10.56 ppg) as a favorite with rest off a game as a dog facing an opponent averaging more than five blocks per game.


PLAY-AGAINST TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Wizards are 0-16 ATS (-9.66 ppg) on the road facing an opponent averaging less than 16 percent of their points off free throws.


TOTAL TREND OF THE DAY - OVER:

-- The Kings are 16-0 OU (+13.50 ppg) with less than two days rest off a win as a favorite in which they scored at least 15 points more in the second half than in the first half.


TOTAL TREND OF THE DAY - UNDER:

-- The Magic are 0-14 OU (-10.54 ppg) at home with rest off a road game when they are facing a team with an assist-to-turnover ratio greater than 1.50 and it is before the All-Star break.


PLAYER-BASED TRENDS:

-- The Nets are 0-9 OU (-17.44 ppg) since the start of the 2017 season after a game as a home dog in which Joe Harris shot better than 50 percent from the arc.

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

ATL at DET 04:00 PM
DET -9.0
O 221.5

WAS at IND 05:00 PM
IND -9.5
U 218.5

CHA at BOS 06:00 PM
BOS -7.0
U 217.5

PHO at BK 06:00 PM
PHO +9.0
O 218.5

MIA at ORL 06:00 PM
ORL -2.5
O 199.0

CHI at CLE 06:00 PM
CHI +1.0
O 201.5

NO at SAC 06:00 PM
NO -1.0
O 236.5

MIN at OKC 08:00 PM
OKC -7.0
U 223.5

LAC at GS 08:30 PM
LAC +10.0
O 235.5

DAL at POR 09:00 PM
DAL +7.5
O 215.5

MEM at LAL 09:30 PM
LAL -5.5
U 208.5

[StarDust Bum]

Pacers beat sluggish Wizards 105-89
December 23, 2018
By The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Steph Curry made a layup with 0.5 seconds left and the Golden State Warriors outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers 129-127 in an emotionally charged game Sunday night.

Curry had 42 points to tie his second-highest scoring output of the season. He also got the last laugh after he exchanged heated words with Clippers guard Patrick Beverley in the first quarter.

The Clippers' Avery Bradley tied it at 127 with a dunk with 20.6 seconds remaining. On the next possession, Curry had Montrezl Harrell on him at the top of the key, drove down the middle of the lane and converted the layup off the glass for the winner.

Tobias Harris missed a shot as time expired, giving the Warriors their eighth victory in 10 games.

Kevin Durant added 35 points for Golden State to help offset the Clippers' 78-percent (18 of 23) 3-point shooting. Harris led Los Angeles with 32 points, and Lou Williams added 25.

CELTICS 119, HORNETS 103

BOSTON (AP) - Kyrie Irving scored 25 points, Jayson Tatum had 17 and Boston beat Charlotte to end a three-game skid

Al Horford returned after missing seven games with a sore left knee and had 10 points and six rebounds in 19 minutes. Marcus Morris had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Boston was coming off a 120-107 loss at home to Milwaukee on Friday, which prompted a closed-door meeting in the locker room. The Celtics came out Sunday looking much more like the team that had won eight straight before the skid.

The Celtics never trailed, shot 50 percent and outrebounded the Hornets 47-37.

Kemba Walker led Charlotte with 21 points.

TIMBERWOLVES 114, THUNDER 112

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Andrew Wiggins scored 30 points and hit the go-ahead layup with 14 seconds left in Minnesota's victory over Oklahoma City.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points, and Robert Covington had 13.

Oklahoma City's Paul George scored 31 points, but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have won it. Russell Westbrook had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

NETS 111, SUNS 103

NEW YORK (AP) - Spencer Dinwiddie scored 24 points, D'Angelo Russell had 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and Brooklyn beat weary Phoenix.

The Suns, with a short turnaround after a 149-146 triple-overtime loss in Washington a night earlier, dropped their second straight after a four-game winning streak.

Rookie Rodions Kurucs from Latvia added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets. They bounced back from a loss to Indiana on Friday to win for the eighth time in nine games.

Rookie Deandre Ayton had 26 points and 18 rebounds for the Suns, shooting 13 of 16 from the field. Devin Booker had 25 points and nine assists, but was just 6 for 16 through three quarters while the Suns fell well behind, a night after he played 55 minutes.

TRAIL BLAZERS 121, MAVERICKS 118, OT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Damian Lillard scored 33 points and Portland handed Dallas its sixth straight loss.

Jusuf Nurkic added 10 points and 12 rebounds to help Portland wim for the fourth time in five games.

Harrison Barnes led the slumping Mavericks with 27 points. Rookie Luka Doncic had 23 points and 11 rebounds, including a buzzer-beating corner 3-pointer that sent the game into overtime tied at 107.

KINGS 122, PELICANS 117

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Willie Cauley-Stein had 22 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, Buddy Hield scored 28 points and Sacramento overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Bogdan Bogdanovic added 24 points, and De'Aaron Fox had 19 points and 11 assists.

Anthony Davis had 26 points and 17 rebounds for the Pelicans. Jrue Holiday added 27 points, six assists and seven rebounds. New Orleans has lost four straight and 12 of 17.

PACERS 105, WIZARDS 89

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Myles Turner had 18 points and 17 rebounds and Indiana beat sluggish Washington.

The Wizards were coming off a triple-overtime victory over Phoenix in Washington the previous night. They shot a season-low 36.8 percent.

Domantas Sabonis had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Washington, and Bojan Bogdanovic scored 13 of his 14 points in the first half. Markieff Morris led the Wizards with 16 points.

HAWKS 98, PISTONS 95

DETROIT (AP) - Alex Len had 15 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, Vince Carter had a season-best 18 points, and Atlanta held off Detroit for its third straight victory.

Langston Galloway led Detroit with 18 points, and Andre Drummond had 13 points and 15 rebounds. The Pistons have lost nine of 11.

HEAT 115, MAGIC 91

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Tyler Johnson scored 20 of his 25 points in the third quarter and Miami beat Orlando to give Erik Spoelstra his 500th coaching victory.

Justise Winslow added 22 points and Josh Richardson finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Miami. Spoelstra, Miami's coach since the 2008-09 season, has a career record of 500-336 and has won two NBA titles. Evan Fournier scored 17 points for the Magic.

BULLS 112, CAVALIERS 92

CLEVELAND (AP) - Lauri Markkanen scored 31 points and Chicago won consecutive games for the first time this season, beating Cleveland.

Markkanen had 14 points in the third quarter, including a four-point play late in the period that sparked an 18-5 run in the game between the teams that began the tied for last in the Eastern Conference. Larry Nance Jr. led Cleveland with 20 points.

[StarDust Bum]

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

12/23/2018 13-9-0 59.09% +15.50
12/22/2018 11-3-0 78.57% +38.50
12/21/2018 11-6-0 64.71% +22.00
12/20/2018 3-1-0 75.00% +9.50
12/19/2018 14-8-0 63.64% +26.00
12/18/2018 4-4-0 50.00% -2.00
12/17/2018 8-8-0 50.00% -4.00
12/16/2018 6-8-0 42.86% -14.00
12/15/2018 7-4-1 63.64% +13.00
12/14/2018 10-6-0 62.50% +17.00
12/13/2018 3-5-0 37.50% -12.50
12/12/2018 9-13-0 40.91% -26.50
12/11/2018 3-3-0 50.00% -1.50
12/10/2018 6-10-0 37.50% -25.00
12/09/2018 2-5-0 28.57% -17.50
12/08/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
12/07/2018 12-7-0 63.16% +21.50
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:......157-137-0.......53.40%---+37.00


NBA BEST BETS:

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

12/23/2018............3 - 2................+4.00....................6 - 2.................+19.00............+23.00
12/22/2018............3 - 2................+4.00....................6 - 1.................+24.50............+28.50
12/21/2018............3 - 1................+9.50....................4 - 3.................+3.50..............+13.00
12/20/2018............1 - 1.................-0.50....................2 - 0.................+10.00............+9.50
12/19/2018............3 - 2.................+4.00...................8 - 3.................+23.50............+27.50
12/18/2018............1 - 1.................-0.50....................1 - 2..................-6.00...............-6.50
12/17/2018............6 - 1.................+14.50.................1 - 5..................-22.00.............-7.50
12/16/2018............1 - 3.................-11.50..................3 - 2..................+4.00..............-7.50
12/15/2018............3 - 0.................+15.00.................2 - 3..................-6.50...............+8.50
12/14/2018............3 - 1.................+9.50...................3 - 1..................+9.50.............+19.00
12/13/2018............2 - 1.................+4.50...................0 - 4..................-22.00.............-17.50
12/12/2018............2 - 5..................-17.50.................2 - 4...................-12.00.............-29.50
12/11/2018............1 - 1..................-0.50...................0 - 2..................-11.00..............-11.50
12/10/2018............3 - 2..................+4.00..................1 - 3..................-11.50..............-7.50
12/09/2018............0 - 1..................-5.50....................2 - 2.................-1.00................-6.50
12/08/2018............1 - 0..................+5.00..................1 - 0..................+5.00...............+10.00
12/07/2018............0 - 3..................-16.50..................5 - 0.................+25.00.............+8.50
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:...............44 - 40................-5.00....................61- 52...............+19.50................+14.50

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

Regular season records of last six Super Bowl champs:

2017: Philadelphia Eagles 13-3

2016: New England Patriots 14-2

2015: Denver Broncos 12-4

2014: New England Patriots 12-4

2013: Seattle Seahawks 13-3

2012: Baltimore Ravens 10-6


**********

Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Merry Christmas, everyone!!!!

13) Maybe the biggest downside of fantasy football being so popular is when guys don’t do so well at this time of year, they sometimes take a decent amount of grief from people who have them on their fantasy teams.

I have a fantasy baseball team and must admit that I take it pretty seriously, but I know enough to take it in stride when things don’t go my way. Fantasy football can be pretty random, as far as who gets targeted in the red zone, etc, take defeats in stride, please?!?!?!

12) Former NFL player/GM Matt Millen had a heart transplant over the weekend; the surgery was said to go well. Pretty amazing stuff medical people can do. Hope Mr Millen is back feeling well soon.

11) Tennessee Titans signed QB Austin Davis as insurance, with Marcus Mariota banged up and Matt Cassel his backup. Titans play Indianapolis for a playoff spot Sunday night.

10) Milwaukee Bucks are playing on Christmas Day for first time since 1977.

College basketball stats for Christmas morning…….
9) Teams that force the most turnovers:
Auburn, Virginia Tech, Manhattan, NC State

8) Teams with the best defensive eFG%:
Texas Tech, VCU, Old Dominion, Houston

7) Teams with the best offensive eFG%:
Gonzaga, Creighton, Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois

6) Teams with best 3-point %age:
Indiana State, South Dakota State, Virginia Tech, Creighton

5) Teams with best FT %age:
Hofstra, Toledo, LaSalle, Davidson

4) Most experienced teams in country:
Nevada, Jacksonville State, San Diego, The Citadel

3) Teams who have played hardest schedule so far:
Middle Tennessee State, Cal State-Fullerton, Kansas, Creighton

2) Teams whose subs play the most minutes:
Manhattan, Denver, NC State, New Mexico

1) I still can’t believe the Steelers faked a punt Sunday night in their own territory with a 28-24 lead and 4:10 left. Just a totally unnecessary risk.

Someone on Twitter said “You can’t judge the call by the result” The hell you can’t; pro sports are a result-based industry. You win, you’re a hero, you lose, you get fired.

[StarDust Bum]

Christmas Games to Watch
YouWager

Whether you’ve got the Christmas spirit going full force or you’re in a Grinch-like mood for whatever reason, you’re going to get a trio of ‘merry’ NBA picks that is highlighted by the intriguing showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. With all three Christmas Day contests going down in less than 24 hours, let’s get started bringing the holiday cheer.

Oklahoma City Thunder (21-11) at Houston Rockets (17-15)

Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at 3:00 PM ET
Toyota Center - Houston, Texas
TV: ABC
NBA Odds: Houston -1.5
Total: 220.5

Oklahoma City had their four-game winning streak snapped in their narrow 114-112 home loss against Minnesota on Sunday. Paul George scored a team-high 31 points and Russell Westbrook added a triple-double of 23 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds, but the Thunder came up just short after getting outscored by 16 points in the third quarter. The Thunder are averaging 112 points (11th) and allow 105.6 points per game defensively (5th). Paul George is averaging a team-high 26.1 points per game.

Houston has won six of seven and comes into this contest off a 108-101 win over San Antonio on Saturday. James Harden scored a game-high 39 points and Clint Capela added 21 points and an insane 23 rebounds. The Rockets average 109.2 points per game (19th) while allowing 108.5 points per game defensively (11th). James Harden is averaging a team-high 32 points per game.

Prediction

For this Christmas Day showdown of Western Conference championship-hopefuls, I am going to advise you to back James Harden and company to get the super narrow home win over Paul George and the visiting Thunder for one big reason. Oklahoma City just won’t be able to deal with the blossoming Clint Capela and yes, I know they have a talented big man of their own in Steven Adams.

The Rockets have gone 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 home games and 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. Oklahoma City is 4-9 in their last 13 Tuesday games and even though they’re also 4-1 ATS in their last five dates against the Rockets, James Harden and company are playing their best basketball of the season right now and they’re playing at home on Christmas. Houston wins by at least a basket to cover!

Predicted Score: Houston Rockets 117, Oklahoma City Thunder 112


Los Angeles Lakers (19-14) at Golden State Warriors (23-11)

Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET
Oracle Arena - Oakland, California
TV: ABC
NBA Odds: Golden State -9
Total: 235

The Golden State Warriors will face off against sure-fire future Hall of Famer LeBron James for the fourth consecutive Christmas, but this time, he won’t be suiting up for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Steph Curry says this now, annual holiday showdown will have a different feel to it.

"We've seen him a lot over the last four years," Curry said after scoring 42 points to help lift the Warriors to a 129-127 win over the Clippers. "It'll be a fun atmosphere. Played him and his team on Christmas I think the last four years, including this year.

James and Los Angeles lost four of their last six games and are coming off a 107-99 loss to Memphis on Sunday. L.A. is averaging 112.8 points per game (10th) while allowing 111.3 points per contest defensively (20th).

"We can't measure ourselves versus them," James told reporters of Golden State. "That's a team that's won three out of four championships, the last four years. You can't measure yourself versus them."

Golden State has won two straight and eight of their last 10games including their 129-127 win over the Clippers on Sunday night that saw Steph Curry and Kevin Durant go off for 42 and 35 points respectively.

"I really don't give a damn about him being in a Laker uniform," Draymond Green said. "That really don't matter to me. That is the team he is on and that is who we face. It obviously is going to be a tough challenge, they are playing well. They got a lot of guys playing well. Kuz [Kyle Kuzma] has really stepped up his game, Lonzo [Ball] is playing well."

Prediction

The Lakers have gone an uninspiring 7-9 on the road this season while Golden State has gone a stellar 15-3 at home. The Dubs are looking to start playing better now that they’ve gotten healthier and are moving further away from the rift that gave them their recent stretch of major dysfunction.

Golden State is playing at home and they definitely want to deliver a message to their young challengers that, should they meet in the playoffs, this is the kind of effort they can expect.

The Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall and just 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games. Conversely, Golden State has gone 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game while the Home team in this series has gone 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings. The Dubs win and cover people!

Predicted Score: Golden State Warriors 120, Los Angeles Lakers 109


Portland Trail Blazers (19-14) at Utah Jazz (16-18)

Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at 10:30 PM ET
Vivint Smart Home Arena - Salt Lake City, UT
TV: ESPN, ATRM, NSNW
NBA Odds: Utah -6
Total: 214.5

Portland has won six of their last 10 games including a 121-118 win over Dallas on Sunday. The Trail Blazers are averaging 111.4 points per game (12th) while allowing 110.7 points per contest defensively (16th). Damian Lillard is averaging a team-high 26.9 points per game while CJ McCollum is averaging 21.2 points per contest.

Utah has gone a modest 5-5 over their last 10 games, but the Jazz were on the wrong end of a crushing 107-106 home loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday. The Jazz are averaging a modest 106.9 points per game (23rd) while allowing 105.9 points per game defensively (6th).

Prediction

I’ll get right to the point with my pick on this matchup by saying that I’m going with the narrow 56 percent of public bettors that like Utah to win and cover the chalk in this one. The Jazz have a very good defense and I believe they’re more versatile offensively than Portland, which relies a bit too heavily on Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum if you ask me.

The Jazz have won four of their last five home games while going 4-1 ATS along the way. The Trail Blazers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 road games and 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games overall. Spydah Mitchell leads the Jazz to narrow the Christmas Day win and cover at home.

Predicted Score: Utah Jazz 110, Portland Trail Blazers 102

[StarDust Bum]

Christmas NBA Essentials
Tony Mejia

Merry Christmas! Our gift to you is this preview of Tuesday’s NBA holiday-five pack, complete with free leans. Happy holidays!

Milwaukee (-10, 227) at New York, ESPN, 12:05 ET

The Knicks (9-25 SU, 16-17-1 ATS) have been able to get their youth movement started in a season that was always going to unfold as it has, featuring plenty of losing and growing pains under David Fizdale with superstar forward Kristaps Porzingis rehabbing a torn ACL. The first-year Knicks coach has definitely gotten guys to play hard, supply an honest effort and compete for minutes but his team comes into this one losers in nine of 10. Reclamation project Emmanuel Mudiay has taken the reins at the point guard, scoring 32 or more points in three of the last five games. Rookie Kevin Knox has entered the starting lineup on Dec. 12 and has averaged 19.3 in the six games since gaining his promotion.

New York has only won once in those six games, which is one reason it is a double-digit underdog to open this quintuple-header. The Knicks have split their two meetings against the Bucks (22-10, ) this season, winning 136-134 on Dec. 1 behind 28 points from Mudiay and 26 off the bench from the 19-year-old Knox, whose five 3-pointers remain a season-best.

That loss was an important one for the Bucks since they were cruising along as one of the league’s top stories at the time, having won 15 of their first 21 games. Khris Middleton was benched by head coach Mike Budenholzer for the fourth quarter and OT in that loss over a lack of effort and then was held out of the next game despite no suspension officially being announced. The message was clear – the Bucks are too talented to be loafing around putting themselves in jeopardy of losing to teams they have no business struggling against.

Milwaukee is playing on Christmas Day for the first time since 1977 and has won seven of 10 since that OT shocker at the Garden. Middleton has shot himself out of his slump, point guard Eric Bledsoe has joined him in receiving All-Star consideration and Malcolm Brogdon has really come into his own, averaging 15.1 points and emerging as a surprise member of the 50-40-90 club, shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 44.7 percent from 3-point range and 98 percent from beyond the arc. Together with MVP frontrunner Giannis Antetokounmpo (2-to-1 at Westgate LV Superbook), the Bucks have emerged as a viable threat to win the Eastern Conference, currently a 4-to-1 choice at Westgate behind only the Celtics and Raptors, both of which are 7-to-5.

Despite the strong start, this will be the first time many will get a look at a Bucks team since there are many casual fans who don’t pay attention until this annual Christmas tradition, which always coincides with the NFL wrapping up its regular season.

For our first present, totals expert Chris David of VegasInisder.com has arrived with a sack full of recommendations. David isn’t laying or taking the points in this game believes we could see the scoreboard operator working extra hard in the holiday opener.

“Betting the ‘under’ in NBA games on Christmas has become a popular lean for many but following that trend on this particular matchup may not be that easy,” David said. “The Knicks are a mess defensively and Milwaukee brings the top scoring offense in the league to Madison Square Garden plus I dug up a nice total angle that’s developed with New York this season.

“As double-digit underdogs this season, the Knicks have gone 2-8 SU and 5-5 ATS. In those games, the defense has really suffered (122.8 PPG) and that’s translated into an 8-2 ‘over’ mark. If you’re hesitant to shy away from the holiday ‘under’ lean, then I would recommend you to take a stab on the Bucks team total ‘over’ (118 ½).”

Milwaukee comes off a season-low 87 points in a Saturday night loss in Miami but had scored at least 120 in its previous two outings. New York has surrendered at least 110 points in 13 consecutive games. Brogdon and Knicks rookie Allonzo Trier are considered game-time decisions due to hamstring injuries.


Oklahoma City at Houston (-1.5, 221), ABC, 3:05 ET

The Thunder (21-11, 18-14) visit the Rockets (17-15, 14-17-1) for the second time this season and will look for a repeat performance to continue their ascent in taking Houston’s place as the league’s most viable threat to the Warriors. Although the Timberwolves snapped their four-game winning streak on Sunday night with a 114-112 upset in Oklahoma City, the Thunder open Tuesday one game behind Golden State, trailing the Nuggets by a half-game in the Northwest Division.

Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double again, having pulled off his ninth of the season against Minnesota. Surprisingly, his scoring clip is just 20.2 per game, since the most impactful tweak he’s made has been in allowing Paul George to assert himself and find his rhythm. George had one 30-point game over his first 12 games of the season but has 10 of them over the last 20. He’s averaging 32.8 points over the past 10 and scored 43 in consecutive games last week, so he’s clearly in rhythm and will be a priority for Houston to get a handle on.

NBA expert Kevin Rogers points out that the Thunder has lost back-to-back games only once since an 0-4 start but knows there’s danger ahead given a number of trends favoring the home team.

“Since starting 0-4 at home, the Rockets have regained their home-court advantage at Toyota Center by posting a 10-1 mark in the last 11 opportunities,” said Rogers. “Houston has put together an 8-2-1 ATS mark in this stretch, including Saturday’s 108-101 victory over San Antonio as five-point favorites. The Rockets have dominated the Thunder at home since April 2014 by winning nine of the last 10 matchups at Toyota Center, although OKC won at Houston this past April.”

James Harden will have to be great in order for the Rockets to hold serve and has only averaged 23.8 points over his career on Christmas, the same clip as former teammate Westbrook. He was held to just 19 points in the lone meeting against OKC this season, shooting 7-for-19 despite Paul's presence next to him. Westbrook didn't even play so George did his best impression and finished with a triple-double in the 98-80 win on Nov. 8, Houston's lowest-scoring output of the season. OKC out-rebounded the Rockets 52-39.

Harden is averaging 32 points on the season and 39.7 over the last six games, so he’ll need a special performance since the Rockets remain without Chris Paul (hamstring) and are just 1-5 SU and ATS without their All-Star point guard. That win came on Saturday night in a 108-101 home win over the Spurs where they covered as 5.5-point favorites. Gerald Green provided a boost with 31 minutes off the bench. Either he or undrafted third-year wing Danuel House will find themselves on the floor in key roles with Harden, Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker and Clint Capela, so expect them to be x-factors.

Austin Rivers was officially signed on Monday and is expected to see minutes, so Harden will have a little more help with starting forward James Ennis III (hamstring) also sidelined. My expectation is that although he’ll probably be the day’s top scorer – see if your book has that prop available – the Rockets will come up short at home. Take the Thunder plus the points.


Philadelphia at Boston (-4, 223), ABC, 5:35 ET

With the Raptors currently setting the pace in the entire league with at 25-10 mark, there’s a good chance that these Atlantic Division rivals will be dueling for homecourt advantage from here until April. If Indiana keeps up its pace, the 76ers (22-12, 16-18) and Celtics (19-13, 16-16) could very well wind up the East’s 4-5 series, which means we could be referencing this meeting often over the next few months.

Boston won the first matchup in the season opener way back on Oct. 16 105-87, but that matchup didn’t feature Jimmy Butler, which is one reason why this Christmas clash is so important. Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the Celtics have won 15 of 17 regular-season meetings and are 19-3 when you include last season’s playoff meeting that the 76ers lost 4-1.

The hope is that Butler’s acquisition will help turn the tide in this series since he gives the team the closer it’s lacked, not to mention an elite defender to help contend with Boston’s many weapons. The 76ers are 13-4 with Butler in the lineup, so while there are still plenty of chemistry issues to solve, a “Big Three” featuring him and young standouts Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons carries plenty of potential. While the Celtics are the co-favorite to win the East (7/5), there’s great value in the 76ers at 6-to-1.

The 76ers crushed the depleted Raptors 126-101 on Saturday, and while that result is rather meaningless since Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka were out of the lineup, there’s been progress made despite depth issues remaining a concern. On that end, Wilson Chandler (quad) is considered a game-time decision while former No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz remains out and his future with Philly is still a major question mark.

Boston welcomed Marcus Morris back to the lineup in Sunday’s 119-103 rout of the Hornets, which snapped a season-long three-game losing streak. The Celtics remain without center Aron Baynes (hand) and may therefore struggle to contain Embiid.

David believes that if you’re leaning to Philadelphia as an underdog, then a money-line play is justified at 3/2 odds (Bet $100 to win $150).

“Philly has caught points 10 times this season and the point-spread hasn’t mattered in any of the games. Granted, the 76ers haven’t been great as ‘dogs overall (4-6 SU, 4-6 ATS), their record is 3-2 since Jimmy Butler joined the club,” David said. “The Celtics have gone 10-4 at TD Garden this season when listed as favorites and they’ve covered nine of those victories. For me, it’s Boston minus the points or Philadelphia outright.”

The 76ers have only won once at TD Garden in 12 outings since the start of the 2014 season, posting an 89-80 win back in January. Kyrie Irving didn’t play in that contest.


L.A. Lakers at Golden State (-9, 235), ABC/ESPN, 8:05 ET

This is being billed as the Christmas present for the masses, which must be why it will be available on two networks. Since both teams have been pointing to this one since the schedule was released, the fact that the books have made Golden State such a heavy favorite is an indictment on LeBron James and what the Lakers have accomplished thus far.

After all, L.A. originally opened as 10.5-point underdog despite coming into this game completely healthy. James’ team has lost three of four, dropping road games against the Wizards and Nets before losing at home to the Grizzlies on Sunday night despite his 22 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists.

Golden State has won eight of 10 but has covered in just a single game over the past seven after surviving the Clippers 129-127 on Sunday night behind 42 points from Stephen Curry, who won the game in the final second. Kevin Durant added 35 points and 12 rebounds but critics still lamented why it’s taking so much effort to pull off wins against teams the Warriors typically dominate.

While you can’t please everyone, Golden State is the super team that seemingly can’t please anyone, so the expectation that the betting public would ride with James and his young Lakers teammates plus the points is likely what the books were going for when setting the spread where they did.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has been looking for a spark from the second unit and is now playing Curry with them, which is why his usage has been so high of late. Thompson shot 4-for-15 from the field against the Clips and teams have been intentionally leaving Draymond Green open so he’ll shoot, doubling others with great results. Green shot 4-for-12 last time out and is shooting 37 percent from the field since returning from an injury, shooting 5-for-19 from 3-point range (26 percent).

Green will undoubtedly be left open by design here, which means that he’ll have to knock down his clean looks if the Warriors are expected to win comfortably. While Curry is in a great rhythm, it’s Durant whose 31.1 points per game is the NBA’s top scoring average on Christmas among active players. He dropped 44 points on Denver in 2010 and may also be worth a look in a top-scorer prop.

LeBron comes in with a 26.8-points per game average on Dec. 25 but has had some excellent shooting games with the Lakers, shooting nearly 52 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc in the purple and gold. L.A. is the deepest it has been this season with Brandon Ingram and Rajon Rondo back from injuries. Kyle Kuzma has emerged as James’ top scoring sidekick, but Lonzo Ball’s importance has also grown over the past few weeks as he begins to prove his worth as a defender, distributor and taker of clutch perimeter looks that will inevitably be increasingly available so long as he’s playing off the ball alongside James.

This is the Lakers’ biggest game of the season, so it will certainly be used as a measuring stick for what James can expect from his teammates going forward. The Cavs lost 12 of 13 games against the Warriors despite LeBron’s best efforts, covering only twice. He’s won eight of 12 career games on Christmas.

Golden State will also view this as a big game since it’s the final time they’ll spend the holiday in Oakland’s Oracle Arena, so count on a festive atmosphere. DeMarcus Cousins’ debut is next up on the list and won’t come here, so this Golden State team is just temporary. The same can’t be said for the Lakers, who should have centers JaVale McGee (flu) and Tyson Chandler (back) in the mix. Check on their availability prior to tip-off to ensure that the Lakers won’t be forced to go small before pulling the trigger on side or total.


Portland at Utah (-6, 214.5), ESPN, 10:35 ET

If you’ve still got an appetite for basketball after the main course, this should end up being a tasty dessert.

The Jazz just routed the Trail Blazers 120-90 last Friday night, which is the only setback that Portland has suffered over the past five games. This should certainly ensure Utah will get the Blazers’ best punch as the road team on the holiday. History certainly favors a strong performance since they’ve won 14 of 17 career games on Christmas.

Utah has won two of three games and has seen center Rudy Gobert impose his will of late. The Jazz are still waiting for Donovan Mitchell to straighten out his jump shot and be more efficient, but have started to figure some things out to crawl out from the hole they’ve dug for themselves.

David provided a winner to our users in our NBA Free Picks feature on Friday with the ‘under’ (213 ½) between Utah and Portland and he believes the trend will continue on Christmas.

“Including last Friday’s outcome, the ‘under’ has cashed in three straight and six of the past eight meetings between the pair. We’re also starting to see Utah get back to its defensive form recently," David said. "The club has held its last six opponents to 97 PPG and that’s led to a 6-0 ‘under’ streak heading into this game. Knowing Portland’s offense doesn’t travel as well, I’d expect another grinder on Tuesday.”

The Trail Blazers come into the game healthy and have been solid despite second-leading scoring guard C.J. McCollum slumping. He shot 5-for-15 from the field, while starting forwards Al-Farouq Aminu and Moe Harkless combined to shoot 2-for-13. They'll look to get back on track as the Blazers aim to take their otherwise solid form into a crucial stretch.

"Portland is in the midst of a brutal schedule through January 5. The Blazers travel to Utah on Tuesday, followed by a home-and-home set with Golden State, then hosting Philadelphia to close out 2018. It’s not done yet, as Portland tips off 2019 by traveling to surprising Sacramento before hosting Oklahoma City and Houston on a back-to-back," said Rogers. "Fact of the matter is that the Blazers overcame a 1-6 stretch from late November through early December to remain in the mix of the Western Conference playoff race by winning six of the past nine contests. This upcoming stretch for Portland will definitely be one that the Blazers look back when April rolls around as one that can make or break a season."

[StarDust Bum]

By: Monique Vág



It's better to give than to receive

The New York Knicks have been efficient defending opposing point guards but have been burned by the extra pass allowing starting PGs to average 9.0 assists per game. The Knicks come into Tuesday's matchup with the Bucks ranked 29th in opponent assists per game at 26.1.

The Bucks' Eric Bledsoe is averaging 5.7 assists per game, and had had 21 games this season with at least five assists. With his field goal attempts down this year, expect Bledsoe to take advantage of a favorable matchup and find the open man. Back Over his assist total.


Houston is home for the holidays

The Thunder come into Houston riding a hot-streak, winning four of their most recent five games. Houston has also had an impressive run of their own winning six of their last seven games, and have been playing much better defense lately.

In the head-to-head, the Rockets have won eight of the most recent 12 games, and have posted a 9-1 home record versus the Thunder. Despite Chris Paul being out once again, the Rockets should be feeling good as they've won five games in a row at home. Take Houston as small home 1.5-point favorites.


Embiid on Santa's Nice List this year

Joel Embiid is having the best statistical year of his career, averaging 26.4 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. Today he is in a favorable matchup as his 76ers take on a Celtics team surrendering 15.3 rebounds a game to opposing centers. In what projects to be a closely contested game, look for Embiid to secure rebounds on the defensive end and to be aggressive inside the paint. Take Over his rebounding total.


"You'll shoot your eye out, Klay"

The Lakers have struggled defending opposing shooting guards allowing 25.5 points and over three 3-point shots per game. This is great news for Klay Thompson as his Golden State Warriors host the Lakers on Tuesday. Thompson’s shot attempts are down this year, but he can catch fire quickly, especially from beyond the arc.

With the game total set at 236, and both teams ranking high in possessions per game, there should be lots of points to go around. Back Thompson Over his point total.


Looking to heat up after an icy shooting performance

In the late game, the Utah Jazz are hosting the Portland Trail Blazers. Opponents are shooting a league high 37.7 percent from beyond the arc versus Portland. This bodes well for a Jazz team that averages 32.7 points a game off 3-point shots.

When left alone from beyond the arc, Donovan Mitchell has proven he is not afraid to take the shot. He attempted 11 shots from behind the arc three games ago versus the Warriors. Mitchell will be looking for redemption today after having one of his worst shooting performances of his career versus the Blazers two games ago. Look for him to find success from the floor and prove that his 1-10 shooting that night was just an aberation. Take Over on his points, rebounds, assists total.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, December 25

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

MILWAUKEE (22 - 10) at NEW YORK (9 - 25) - 12/25/2018, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 76-52 ATS (+18.8 Units) in road games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 137-104 ATS (+22.6 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 49-30 ATS (+16.0 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 6-3 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 7-2 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

OKLAHOMA CITY (21 - 11) at HOUSTON (17 - 15) - 12/25/2018, 3:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 7-6 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 8-5 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
8 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

PHILADELPHIA (22 - 12) at BOSTON (19 - 13) - 12/25/2018, 5:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 76-53 ATS (+17.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 50-37 ATS (+9.3 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 40-27 ATS (+10.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 50-33 ATS (+13.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 118-89 ATS (+20.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 34-19 ATS (+13.1 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 67-49 ATS (+13.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 69-46 ATS (+18.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 58-33 ATS (+21.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 8-6 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 11-3 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

LA LAKERS (19 - 14) at GOLDEN STATE (23 - 11) - 12/25/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 59-75 ATS (-23.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 1-13 ATS (-13.3 Units) on Tuesday nights over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 32-46 ATS (-18.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 4-4 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 7-1 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

PORTLAND (19 - 14) at UTAH (16 - 18) - 12/25/2018, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 36-23 ATS (+10.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

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

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




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, December 25

Bucks won six of last eight games, are 6-8-1 vs spread on road this year. Eight of their last ten games stayed under. New York lost nine of its last ten games; they’re 0-5 vs spread in last five home games. Five of their last seven games went over. Knicks lost six of last seven games with Milwaukee; last four series games went over the total. Bucks are 2-3 vs spread in their last five visits to Manhattan.

Thunder won four of their last five games; they’re 9-7 vs spread on road this year. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Houston won six of its last seven games; they’re 5-0-1 vs spread in last six home games. Under is 7-2-1 in their last ten games. Oklahoma City won three of last four games with the Rockets; Thunder is 3-2 vs spread in their last five visits to Houston. Five of last six series games stayed under.

Sixers won three of last four games; they’re 5-10 vs spread on road this year. Over is 5-3 in their last eight games. Boston lost three of its last four games; they’re 5-2 vs spread in last seven home games. Celtics’ last six games went over the total. Celtics won eight of last ten games with Philly; three of last four series games stayed under total. 76ers are 1-5 vs spread in their last six visits to Boston.

Lakers lost four of their last six games; they’re 3-7 vs spread in last ten road games. LA’s last three games stayed under the total. Golden State won eight of its last ten games; they’re 2-10 vs spread in last dozen home games. Under is 5-3 in their last eight home games. Warriors won their last seven games with the Lakers, but LA covered three of last four; Lakers are 1-4 vs spread in their last five visits to Oakland. Three of last four series games went over.

Portland lost four of its last seven games; they’re 4-2 vs spread in last six home games. Under is 6-3-1 in their last ten games. Utah lost five of its last eight games, is 4-1 vs spread in their last five home games. Last six Jazz games stayed under the total. Jazz is 5-3 in their last eight games with Portland (under 6-2). Trailblazers are 1-3 vs spread in their last four visits to Salt Lake City.




NBA

Tuesday, December 25

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 10 games
Milwaukee is 6-13-1 ATS in its last 20 games on the road
Milwaukee is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 6 games on the road
Milwaukee is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing New York
Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing New York
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing New York
Milwaukee is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Milwaukee's last 14 games when playing on the road against New York
New York Knicks
New York is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games
New York is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 7 games
New York is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
New York is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
New York is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of New York's last 14 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Oklahoma City is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Oklahoma City's last 24 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Oklahoma City is 6-12-1 ATS in its last 19 games when playing Houston
Oklahoma City is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing Houston
Oklahoma City is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
Oklahoma City is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston Rockets
Houston is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 10 games
Houston is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 9 games at home
Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Houston is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Houston is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
Philadelphia is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
Philadelphia is 5-13 ATS in its last 18 games on the road
Philadelphia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Philadelphia's last 22 games on the road
Philadelphia is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Philadelphia is 3-19 SU in its last 22 games when playing Boston
Philadelphia is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Philadelphia is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 13 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Celtics
Boston is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games
Boston is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games
Boston is 18-7 ATS in its last 25 games at home
Boston is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games at home
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Boston is 19-3 SU in its last 22 games when playing Philadelphia
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Boston is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Boston's last 13 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

Los Angeles Lakers
LA Lakers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
LA Lakers is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
LA Lakers is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of LA Lakers's last 18 games
LA Lakers is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
LA Lakers is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Lakers's last 6 games on the road
LA Lakers is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of LA Lakers's last 12 games when playing Golden State
LA Lakers is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Golden State
LA Lakers is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Lakers's last 6 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Golden State is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Golden State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Golden State's last 12 games when playing LA Lakers
Golden State is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Lakers

Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 5-12 ATS in its last 17 games
Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Portland's last 10 games
Portland is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Portland is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Portland's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Portland's last 8 games when playing Utah
Portland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Utah
Portland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Utah
Utah Jazz
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 5 games
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Utah is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Utah's last 8 games when playing Portland
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Portland
Utah is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Portland

[StarDust Bum]

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIL at NY 12:00 PM
MIL -10.0
U 227.5

OKC at HOU 03:00 PM
OKC +1.5
U 220.0

PHI at BOS 05:30 PM
PHI +4.0
O 223.5

LAL at GS 08:00 PM
LAL +9.0
O 234.5

POR at UTA 10:30 PM
UTA -6.5
U 213.5

[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, December 25


Milwaukee @ New York

Game 557-558
December 25, 2018 @ 12:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
121.909
New York
115.033
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 7
229
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
by 10
226
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(+10); Over

Oklahoma City @ Houston

Game 559-560
December 25, 2018 @ 3:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
123.686
Houston
132.259
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 8 1/2
222
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 1
220
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-1); Over

Philadelphia @ Boston

Game 561-562
December 25, 2018 @ 5:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
119.543
Boston
125.181
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 6 1/2
227
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 3 1/2
223
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-3 1/2); Over

LA Lakers @ Golden State

Game 563-564
December 25, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Lakers
124.700
Golden State
126.171
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 1 1/2
239
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 9
234 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Lakers
(+9); Over

Portland @ Utah

Game 565-566
December 25, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Portland
125.233
Utah
115.777
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Portland
by 6 1/2
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Utah
by 6 1/2
214 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(+6 1/2); Under

[Udog]

Action chart from WilliamHillUS for Christmas Day in the NBA. Data from their 100+ Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia Sports Books and their mobile betting apps:

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 26, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:05 PM Phoenix Suns Orlando Magic Amway Center
7:05 PM Washington Wizards Detroit Pistons Little Caesars Arena
7:35 PM Charlotte Hornets Brooklyn Nets Barclays Center
7:35 PM Indiana Pacers Atlanta Hawks State Farm Arena
7:35 PM Toronto Raptors Miami Heat AmericanAirlines Arena
8:05 PM Cleveland Cavaliers Memphis Grizzlies FedExForum
8:05 PM Minnesota Timberwolves Chicago Bulls United Center
8:35 PM Denver Nuggets San Antonio Spurs AT&T Center
8:35 PM New Orleans Pelicans Dallas Mavericks American Airlines Center
10:35 PM Sacramento Kings Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center


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

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

12/25/2018 6-4-0 60.00% +8.00
12/23/2018 13-9-0 59.09% +15.50
12/22/2018 11-3-0 78.57% +38.50
12/21/2018 11-6-0 64.71% +22.00
12/20/2018 3-1-0 75.00% +9.50
12/19/2018 14-8-0 63.64% +26.00
12/18/2018 4-4-0 50.00% -2.00
12/17/2018 8-8-0 50.00% -4.00
12/16/2018 6-8-0 42.86% -14.00
12/15/2018 7-4-1 63.64% +13.00
12/14/2018 10-6-0 62.50% +17.00
12/13/2018 3-5-0 37.50% -12.50
12/12/2018 9-13-0 40.91% -26.50
12/11/2018 3-3-0 50.00% -1.50
12/10/2018 6-10-0 37.50% -25.00
12/09/2018 2-5-0 28.57% -17.50
12/08/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
12/07/2018 12-7-0 63.16% +21.50
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:......163-141-0.......53.61%---+45.00


NBA BEST BETS:

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

12/25/2018............3 - 2................+4.00....................3 - 2.................+4.00..............+8.00
12/23/2018............3 - 2................+4.00....................6 - 2.................+19.00............+23.00
12/22/2018............3 - 2................+4.00....................6 - 1.................+24.50............+28.50
12/21/2018............3 - 1................+9.50....................4 - 3.................+3.50..............+13.00
12/20/2018............1 - 1.................-0.50....................2 - 0.................+10.00............+9.50
12/19/2018............3 - 2.................+4.00...................8 - 3.................+23.50............+27.50
12/18/2018............1 - 1.................-0.50....................1 - 2..................-6.00...............-6.50
12/17/2018............6 - 1.................+14.50.................1 - 5..................-22.00.............-7.50
12/16/2018............1 - 3.................-11.50..................3 - 2..................+4.00..............-7.50
12/15/2018............3 - 0.................+15.00.................2 - 3..................-6.50...............+8.50
12/14/2018............3 - 1.................+9.50...................3 - 1..................+9.50.............+19.00
12/13/2018............2 - 1.................+4.50...................0 - 4..................-22.00.............-17.50
12/12/2018............2 - 5..................-17.50.................2 - 4...................-12.00.............-29.50
12/11/2018............1 - 1..................-0.50...................0 - 2..................-11.00..............-11.50
12/10/2018............3 - 2..................+4.00..................1 - 3..................-11.50..............-7.50
12/09/2018............0 - 1..................-5.50....................2 - 2.................-1.00................-6.50
12/08/2018............1 - 0..................+5.00..................1 - 0..................+5.00...............+10.00
12/07/2018............0 - 3..................-16.50..................5 - 0.................+25.00.............+8.50
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:...............47 - 42................-1.00....................64- 54...............+23.50................+22.50

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s 6-pack

Last six years, an NFL team that started 0-2 made the playoffs:

2018- Seahawks 0-2, Texans 0-3
2017- Saints 0-2
2016- Dolphins 0-2
2015- Texans 0-2, Seahawks 0-2
2014- Colts 0-2
2013- Panthers 0-2

Quote of the Day
“I express my frustrations every single time I come off the field. I’m a very smart football player. I probably watch more film than the coaches.”
Former Redskins safety DJ Swearinger, who was cut by the team after criticizing coaches; he has played with four teams in his first six NFL seasons.

Wednesday’s quiz
Which former NBA star was the mayor of Sacramento from 2008-2016?

Tuesday’s quiz
South Carolina is known as the Palmetto State.

Monday’s quiz
Before Army’s football team scored 70 points in their bowl game this weekend, West Virginia was the only college football team to score 70+ points in a bowl- they beat Clemson 70-33 in the 2012 Orange Bowl.

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

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

13) Spent a while in Harrah’s sportsbook Monday night; they’ve improved it some. While I’m there, ESPN is playing Scott Van Pelt’s “Bad Beats” segment on weird losses in gambling- the 10 or 12 people in the book loved the segment. Was fun to watch it there.

12) Walking on the Strip for a half hour or so on Christmas Eve was fun; cars totally covered in Christmas lights on the strip, people throwing candy out of the back of a pickup truck to kids on the sidewalk. Lot of people walking, most of whom did not speak English, almost all of whom were taking pictures with their phones. Interesting experience.

11) Case Keenum’s NFL career:
— 2012-14 Texans— Went 2-8 in ten starts, all in 2o13-14. Went to the Rams during 2014 season, traded for a 7th round draft pick.
— 2014-16 Rams— 7-7 in 16 games (14 starts): those weren’t good Ram clubs and Jeff Fisher was the coach— he didn’t hire the best offensive assistants. 7-7 in those games wasn’t too shabby.
— 2017— Vikings— 11-3 in 14 starts, then split two playoff games, including the GW pass to Diggs that might be the greatest moment in Vikings’ history.
— 2018— Broncos— 6-9 this year, and the ship is sinking. Looks like coach Joseph will be told to take a hike. Will Keenum follow him out of town? He could be playing for his 4th team in four years next season.

10) ESPN’s Monday night analysts, Jason Witten/Booger McFarland, have been more critical the last couple weeks- they were KILLING the Broncos Monday night, and were circling players for lack of effort late in that game.

I’m not criticizing them for doing this; think it would be nice if more analysts simply told the truth, but it is unusual to hear.

9) Notre Dame QB Brandon Wimbush is transferring; he started 12 games LY, four games this year— his W-L record as a college starter is 12-3. He has one year of eligibility left.

How come every former starter/backup QB in the country transfers, but not Jalen Hurts??? LOL

Some notes on NBA back-to-backs……
8) Road underdogs who are playing 2nd consecutive night on road: 22-23-1 vs spread.

Road favorites playing who are 2nd consecutive night on road: 7-7 vs spread.

7) Home favorites who played on road night before: 10-12-1 vs spread.

Home underdogs who played at home night before: 5-5 vs spread.

6) Road underdogs who played at home night before: 10-15-1 vs spread.

5) Over/under of road teams who played night before: over 46-34.

Elsewhere…….
4) Arizona Cardinals signed DJ Swearinger after the Redskins cut him because he wouldn’t stop criticizing Washington’s coaches/team.

Swearinger has played for four teams in his six-year NFL career; this is his second tour of duty with Arizona. If he wants to keep playing in the NFL, maybe he should try shutting his mouth for a while, whether he is right or wrong about what he says.

3) Understood that the NBA doesn’t give a rat’s ass what a 59-year old Caucasian thinks, but the uniforms Knicks-Bucks wore Christmas Day were ugly, really ugly.

2) Liev Schrieber’s character Ray Donovan almost got thru a whole hour of his Showtime series this week without getting beat up. Almost.

Ray Donovan is a really well-done show; they have Susan Sarandon/Jon Voight as supporting actors, and added Alan Alda this week a a psychiatrist. Quite a cast, but Ray has taken a severe physical beating this year. It isn’t always the most uplifting, optimistic show.

1) Here at the Vdara Hotel, a terrific place to stay, it turns out that if you decline maid service 2-3 days in a row, they send someone to your room, to make sure you’re not dead. Seriously.

Lady knocked on my door Tuesday morning, called it “a wellness check”; I’m just fine, ma’am, you have a nice Christmas, too.