Announcement

**Udog** · 11-08-2018, 08:28 AM

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

— Sam Darnold (foot) is out for this week’s game with Buffalo.

— If Le’Veon Bell is going to play for Pittsburgh this year, he has to report by 4pm on Nov. 13.

— Ohio State 64, Cincinnati 56— Buckeyes win an ugly game.

— Kansas Jayhawks fired football coach David Beaty; he’ll finish this season.

— Astros’ P Lance McCullers had Tommy John surgery, will miss all of 2019.

— Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon will enter 2019 as a lame duck; he didn’t get his contract extension. Guy won the World Series two years ago.

**********

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

13) So I’m voting Tuesday and this guy voting next to me had his daughter with him- she is maybe 6, 7 years old. As he is voting, the little girl says “Thats not who mommy voted for” and the guy says “Daddy isn’t going to vote for everyone Mommy voted for” and then the little girl and dad start arguing, with the little girl wanting mommy and daddy to agree on everything.

Quality entertainment. And for free.

12) Sunday was a rough day for Nevada sports books; every NFL team that the public supported covered the spread. A guy who is a 25-year veteran of working in Las Vegas said it was one of the 10 worst days Nevada sports books have ever had in sports wagering.

11) Times have changed; the Cowboys willingly wore blue jerseys at home Monday night. There was a time when Dallas went on the road, opposing teams would wear white at home, to force the Cowboys to wear the blue jerseys that they didn’t seem to like wearing.

10) New Mets’ GM Brodie Van Wagenen is making $10M for four years. He was the agent for the Mets’ two best players, Jacob deGrom and Yoenis Cespedes. He was also Tim Tebow’s agent; Tebow is expected to start next season at AAA Syracuse.

9) Lot of NBA teams have cameras over the baskets, which provide great replays of action around the rim; the funny thing is that they then put advertising on top of the backboards, so you see it when those replays are shown. Wonder how much they charge for that?

8) The NBA is more fun to watch now than it has been in a while; lot more passing, solid shooting. The success Golden State is having has influenced the game in a positive way.

7) Toronto Argonauts fired coach Marc Trestman after a 4-14 season, but his Argos won the Grey Cup LAST YEAR.

Trestman won two Grey Cups coaching Montreal from 2008-12, then went 13-19 in two years coaching the Chicago Bears. He later was an OC for the Baltimore Ravens, but was fired during the 2016 season. Mr Trestman could write a very interesting book.

6) Not that I’m bitter or anything, but I see DeAndre Ayton and Allonzo Trier playing major minutes in NBA games this fall, but when I picked Arizona in their first round NCAA game last March, they lost by 21 to a freakin’ MAC team. No bueno!!!! LOLOL

5) Miami, Florida, Florida State all went 0-2 the last two weekends.

That is the FIRST time that has EVER happened.

4) San Francisco Giants hired GM Farhan Zaidi as their new GM Tuesday.

For the past four years, Zaidi was GM of the rival Dodgers; before that, he was the assistant GM to Billy Beane with the A’s.

3) Jamal Murray scored 48 points for Denver Monday night; he took a shot late in the game, trying to get to 50, and the Celtics get all offended, like Murray isn’t supposed to try and put the ball in the basket. Thats what he gets paid for.

You don’t want him to score 50? Guard his bleepin’ ass, don’t let him get to 40!!! Don’t run your mouth after the game, move your feet during the game.

2) Guy at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City put $6 down on a 12-team parlay this weekend and he hit it, with Titans (+5) clinching his $9,600 payoff. Well done!!!

1) Chicago Blackhawks fired coach Joel Quenneville, who won three Stanley Cups in Chicago, the last one in 2015. He’s the second-winningest coach in NHL history with an all-time record of 890-532-214. Sounds like a guy who won’t be unemployed too long.

**Udog** · 11-08-2018, 08:33 AM

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, November 8

Houston won its last three games after a 1-5 start; they’re 4-1 on road, 2-2 as AF. Under is 4-2 in their last six games. Thunder won their last six games, covered last five; they’re 3-2 at home, 2-3 as HF. Over is 3-1-1 in their home games. Rockets won seven of last ten games with Oklahoma City; they’re 3-1 vs spread in last four visits here. Four of last five series games stayed under the total.

Boston lost its last two games after a 6-2 start; they’re 3-3 on road, 1-2 as AF. Three of their last four games went over. Phoenix lost eight of its last nine games; they’re 2-4 at home, 3-3 as HU. Suns’ last four games all stayed under. Celtics won six of their last seven games with Phoenix but Suns covered the last five; Boston is 1-4 vs spread in its last five visits to the desert. Over is 5-3 in last eight series games.

Clippers won last two games by 25-11 points; they’re 2-3 on road, 1-3 as AU. Four of their last six games went over. Trailblazers won five of their last six games; they’re 5-2 at home, 4-2 as HF. Five of their last six games stayed under the total. Portland won/covered its last three games with the Clippers; under is 3-1 in last four series games. LA covered three of its last four visits to Oregon.

Milwaukee lost two of its last three games after a 7-0 start; Bucks are 2-2 on road, 0-1 as AU. Over is 7-3 in their games this season. Warriors won their last eight games (7-1 vs spread); they are 5-1 as HF. Five of their last seven games went over. Golden State won eight of last ten games with Milwaukee, but Bucks covered six of last nine; Milwaukee covered four of its last five visits to Oakland.

NBA

Thursday, November 8

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Trend Report
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Houston Rockets
Houston is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 10 games on the road
Houston is 12-5-1 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Oklahoma City
Houston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Houston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Houston is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Houston's last 15 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games
Oklahoma City is 4-8-1 ATS in its last 13 games at home
Oklahoma City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games at home
Oklahoma City is 5-12-1 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Houston
Oklahoma City is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games when playing Houston
Oklahoma City is 1-7-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Houston
Oklahoma City is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Oklahoma City's last 15 games when playing at home against Houston

Boston Celtics
Boston is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Boston is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
Boston is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
Boston is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Phoenix is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games
Phoenix is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games at home
Phoenix is 3-18 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games at home
Phoenix is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Phoenix is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Boston
Phoenix is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

Los Angeles Clippers
LA Clippers is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
LA Clippers is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Clippers's last 6 games
LA Clippers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
LA Clippers is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Clippers's last 6 games on the road
LA Clippers is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Clippers's last 6 games when playing Portland
LA Clippers is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Clippers's last 6 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Portland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games
Portland is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Portland is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games at home
Portland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
Portland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Clippers

Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Milwaukee is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 19 of Milwaukee's last 25 games
Milwaukee is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Milwaukee is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Milwaukee's last 18 games on the road
Milwaukee is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Golden State
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
Milwaukee is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 7 games
Golden State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games at home
Golden State is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Milwaukee
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Golden State is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

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**Udog** · 11-08-2018, 10:16 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Thursday, November 8

Houston @ Oklahoma City

Game 701-702
November 8, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
116.754
Oklahoma City
122.175
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 5 1/2
206
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 4
214
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(+4); Under

Boston @ Phoenix

Game 703-704
November 8, 2018 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
116.609
Phoenix
112.075
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 4 1/2
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 9 1/2
213 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(+9 1/2); Under

LA Clippers @ Portland

Game 705-706
November 8, 2018 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Clippers
120.232
Portland
128.126
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Portland
by 8
229
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 5
226 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(-5); Over

Milwaukee @ Golden State

Game 707-708
November 8, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
125.091
Golden State
133.536
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 8 1/2
231
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 6
238
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-6); Under

**Udog** · 11-08-2018, 11:09 AM

Inside the Paint - Thursday
Chris David

Thursday’s NBA slate has four games on tap, which includes a TNT double-header. Last night’s action watched favorites go 8-2 straight up and 5-4-1 against the spread. Bettors riding the ‘over’ had a rough night took it on the chin as the ‘under’ posted an eye-opening 9-1 mark on Wednesday.

Let’s break down the card!

Houston (4-5 SU, 4-5 ATS) at Oklahoma City (6-4 SU, 6-4 ATS)

Not an easy game to handicap as both teams have finally found their form after terrible starts. Oddsmakers opened Houston as a 4 ½-point road favorite over Oklahoma City and I feel like the guys behind the counter are still giving the Rockets respect for what they’ve accomplished last season. Most books have dropped the number to 4 and BookMaker.eu is holding 3 ½ as of Thursday morning.

After opening the season 1-5, the Rockets have rebounded with three straight wins (2-1 ATS). Two things that have stood out during this streak is that all of victories have come on the road and the last two wins were slugfests over the Bulls (96-88) and Pacers (98-94).

It’s surprising to see the Rockets holding anybody under 100 points, but what’s more alarming with this year’s Houston team is its offense which is ranked dead last in shooting percentage (42.4%). They’re only averaging 105.3 PPG and they’re only getting to the free throw line 22.1 times per game, which is ranked 21st. Last season, they attempted 24.6 shots from the charity stripe and that was the third best mark. They still lead the league in 3-point shots attempted (41.9) and while James Harden (27.8 PPG) has been connecting above his average (43.1%), the same can’t be said for Chris Paul (29.5%) or Eric Gordon (23.6%).

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City has quietly ripped off six straight wins after beginning with an 0-4 record. All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook sat out two of those losses but he also skipped last night’s 95-86 lackluster win over Cleveland as a 6 ½-point road favorite. Six wins are six wins in the NBA but four of them came against teams below .500.

Westbrook remains ‘questionable’ with an ankle injury for Thursday but I would expect him to go. The Thunder have played on no rest once this season and it had its best effort with a wire-to-wire 134-111 road win over Washington last Friday. If OKC can somehow win this game, it won’t be a stretch to see the club pushing this win streak to double-digits with its upcoming slate (Mavs, Suns (2), Knicks, Kings).

The total (214 ½) isn’t exactly high and even though Houston’s offensive form could scare you from an ‘over’ wager, the Thunder have seen the high side go 4-1 at home due to strong offensive (116.4 PG) and weak defensive (113.6 PPG) numbers.

The pair met three times last season and Oklahoma City went 2-1 both SU and ATS. Houston’s lone win did come on the road, a 122-112 decision as a 5 ½-point favorite.

TNT will provide coverage of this matchup at 8:05 p.m. ET.

Boston (6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS) at Phoenix (2-8 SU, 4-6 ATS)

Oddsmakers sent out Boston as an 8 ½-point road favorite and the number has moved to 9 ½. While laying a large number away from home doesn’t seem like a sound investment, I have no issues doing it with a great defensive team. Boston is ranked first in defensive efficiency (98.3) while Phoenix (112.6) is near the bottom.

The Suns have two wins on the season and they gave up exactly 100 points in each of those victories. Boston’s offense hasn’t clicked yet and the rotation seems off right now but this seems like a ‘get-right’ game for them. Especially after allowing a season-high 115 points in a loss to Denver on Monday.

The Celtics have won five of the last six encounters between the pair over the last three seasons but the Suns have been a better investment in these matchups with a 5-1 ATS mark. Make a note that Boston was laying nine-plus points in five of the matchups, which is in the same range as tonight’s spread.

L.A. Clippers (6-4 SU, 6-4 ATS) at Portland (8-3 SU, 8-3 ATS)

Portland won and covered three of the four meetings against Los Angeles last season and the lone win by the Clippers came at the Moda Center, which was a tight game (104-103). The ‘under’ went 3-1.

While you shouldn’t ignore those games, this Clippers team has been overhauled and the last soldier standing is head coach Doc Rivers. Los Angeles has had a nice start to the season but its record has been padded with a 5-1 mark versus sub .500 teams. They have beaten the Rockets twice but Houston was without Harden for one game and CP3 for another. Los Angeles comes into this game with two straight wins and it hasn’t won three in a row yet, going 0-2 in its first two attempts.

The Trail Blazers have also won two in a row and Tuesday’s 118-103 win over Milwaukee as a two-point home underdog was impressive. Is this a letdown spot? You can argue that but knowing the Clippers won’t have Avery Bradley (ankle) and Luc Mbah a Moute (knee) available certainly helps Portland’s cause. I believe the tougher test for Portland will come on Sunday when it wraps up its six-game homestand versus Boston.

Make a note that the point-spread hasn’t mattered for either team this season. Meaning, Portland has covered in all of its wins as a favorite (5-0) and the Clippers haven’t kept it close enough for bettors as they are 0-4 ATS in their four losses as underdogs.

Milwaukee (8-2 SU, 6-4 ATS) at Golden State (10-1 SU, 7-4 ATS)

It’s rare to see the Warriors laying a short price (-6) to anybody at home these days but the line is based on a key injury and VI Expert Tony Mejia weighed in on how that we’ll affect the matchup versus the Bucks.

He explained, “Not having Draymond Green to help defend Giannis Antetokounmpo puts the Warriors in a huge bind since Andre Iguodala can only do so much since he’s been banged up himself. Steve Kerr has already addressed what a disadvantage this puts his team in since asking Kevin Durant to play Greek Freak outside of switches would compromise his offensive flow. The Warriors also lose the lynchpin of their defense, their best communicator, against a team that ranks third in offensive efficiency. That’s not ideal.”

He added, “Look for Kevon Looney and Alfonzo McKinnie to play much larger roles in addition Iguodala, so the Bucks are certainly a live ‘dog in Oakland. In a case of numbers sometimes not being reliable to tell the entire story, Golden State won its first 10 games without Green last season before losing its last two. Antetokounmpo shot 24-for-37 (64.9 percent) against the Warriors last season with Green in the mix, but he went 14-for-18 in the most recent meeting when Green was just coming back from an injury. With him gone altogether, he could have a huge night at Oracle."

The road team went 2-0 in this series last season and that included a 116-107 win by the Bucks at Oracle Arena on Mar. 29. Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 32 points but the Warriors didn’t have Curry available and Kevin Durant was ejected late in the first-half. Prior to that win, Milwaukee was just 3-6 in its previous nine trips to Golden State but it did post a solid 7-2 ATS mark in those contests.

The Warriors have gone 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS at home this season and while the Bucks are also perfect at home (6-0), their road mark (2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) is pedestrian and the losses came to quality opponents in the Celtics and Trail Blazers.

The total on this game opened 238 and is up to 240. The Bucks (7-3) and Warriors (6-5) have both leaned to the ‘over’ this season but Golden State has watched the ‘under’ go 4-2 in its six home games.

Make a note that the Warriors have gone 4-0 versus teams (3-1 ATS) from the Eastern Conference this season and they averaged 135.3 PPG in those games, which helped the ‘over’ cash in all four.

TNT will provide national coverage at 10:35 p.m. ET.

**Udog** · 11-08-2018, 02:16 PM

NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, November 8

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HOUSTON (4 - 5) at OKLAHOMA CITY (6 - 4) - 11/8/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 59-38 ATS (+17.2 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) in November games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 7-5 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 8-4 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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BOSTON (6 - 4) at PHOENIX (2 - 8) - 11/8/2018, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 64-43 ATS (+16.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 60-41 ATS (+14.9 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) in road games in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 17-29 ATS (-14.9 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 4-0 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON 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

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LA CLIPPERS (6 - 4) at PORTLAND (8 - 3) - 11/8/2018, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 53-37 ATS (+12.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 4-3 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 4-3 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MILWAUKEE (8 - 2) at GOLDEN STATE (10 - 1) - 11/8/2018, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 270-324 ATS (-86.4 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 115-82 ATS (+24.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 45-25 ATS (+17.5 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.

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

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

**Udog** · 11-08-2018, 05:18 PM

By: Monique Vág

HUGE IMPACT OF POTENTIAL INJURIES

The Rockets look for their fourth straight victory to get back to .500 on the season as they travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder who have won six straight games.

The Thunder enter today’s game scoring 111.4 points on 44.6 percent shooting and allow opponents to score 108.8. They are led by Russell Westbrook’s 48.9 percent from the field and 24.1 points per game. Pay attention to the injury report as he’s still on there and listed and questionable for today’s contest with an ankle injury. The biggest injury news on the Rockets sideline is Eric Gordon who is questionable with a leg injury.

The total has gone Under in 11 of Oklahoma City's last 15 games when playing at home against Houston and today looks no different in this contest. Take Under 214.5 for the full game total.

OUT OF HAND EARLY

The Celtics find themselves as 9.5 road favorites as they travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns. The Celtics are coming off a big loss to the Nuggets on Monday night where they allowed Jamal Murray to score 48 points. Unfortunately for the Phoenix Suns entering the contest scoring only 100.6 points per game isn’t going to cut it versus a Celtics team allowing only 101.3 points per game and playing some solid defense.

This game could get out of hand early. One of the biggest mismatches occurs in first half scoring with Boston allowing a league’s best 48.8 first half points, 20.9 in the first quarter. The Suns average the lowest first quarter points in the Association with 22.8 and 48.2 for the half. Look into taking the Celtics in a first half spread.

THE SUNS' BRIGHT SPOT

The Suns are as good as Devin Booker is shooting and unfortunately for him, the Celtics are only allowing opposing shooting guards to shoot 39.1 percent from the floor, contribute 20.4 points per game.

There is no reason to believe the Suns will be able to keep things close versus a Celtics defense that forces opponents into taking tough shots. Doubling down on a game total and taking the Under in the full game also looks like a profitable angle. With the total going Under in four of the last five games when Boston travels to Phoenix, and Boston’s under hitting in four of their last five overall, take Under the 215 as the Suns will likely be held to Under 100 in this contest.

INSIDE THE PAINT

The Los Angeles Clippers have won six of their first 10 games. They are led by Tobias Harris’ 53 percent field goal percentage and 21.3 points per game. As a team they are scoring 116.2 points per game at 47.5 percent from the field and surrender 109.8 points per game. Today they travel to Portland to take on the Blazers who enter averaging 117.3 points per game on 47 percent shooting, they are surrendering 107.4 points per game and have won two straight contests.

The Blazers are coming off a 118-103 home victory versus the Bucks. Confidence should be high for all players, especially CJ McCollum who posted a season high 40 points. The Blazers shot an incredible 52 percent from the field.

Blazers’ center Jusuf Nurkic looks to be in for a big night as he finds himself in a very favorable matchup. The Clippers are surrendering 28.1 points per game and allowing opposing centers to shoot 57.2 percent from the floor and accumulate 14.4 average rebounds per game. With the Clippers giving up 49.8 points in the paint per contest, look for the Blazers to target their big man inside and take his points, rebounds, and assists total Over.

OFFENSIVE FIREWORKS

The 8-2 Bucks travel to Golden State to take on the 10-1 Warriors in what projects to be a high scoring matchup with the total set at 241. Both teams enter atop the Association in points scored per game, with Milwaukee averaging 120 on 47.6 shooting and Golden State 123.5 on an astounding 51.9 percent shooting.

Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe is coming off a 2-12 shooting performance, but despite that he’s still averaging 12.7 points per game and contributing offensively averaging 4.2 rebounds per game and 6.3 assists. Last year in their two meetings, he shot 8 of 16 from the floor including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc in the first meeting, then in their second contest shot 9 of 11 from the floor. The good thing about backing Bledsoe is even if he’s not shooting well, he’ll contribute to help orchestrate plays and make up for the lack of points through the assist game. Look into taking his total Over 23.5 as points in general should be easy to come by in this matchup.

Announcement

Thursday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 11/8

Thursday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 11/8

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