The Bums 2019 WNBA News - Notes - Picks Thru The Playoffs !

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, JULY 7
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

LV at NY 03:00 PM
NY +5.5
O 162.5

WAS at LA 05:00 PM
LA +4.5
O 160.5

DAL at CHI 06:00 PM
DAL +7.0
O 154.5

ATL at PHO 06:00 PM
ATL +7.5
O 153.0

[StarDust Bum]

Sparks beat Mystics as Delle Donne gets hurt
July 7, 2019
By The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) Nneka Ogwumike had a season-high 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Chelsea Gray had her first career triple-double, and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Washington Mystics 98-81 on Sunday.

Ogwumike shot 11 of 15 from the field and hit a career-high five 3-pointers and Gray finished with 13 points, a career-best 10 rebounds and 13 assists. It was just the ninth triple-double in WNBA history.

Elena Delle Donne, Washington's leading scorer (17.2 points per game) this season, left the game in the first minute with a facial injury and did not return.

Riquna Williams added 19 points, including five 3s, and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt scored 12 for Los Angeles (7-6).

Aerial Powers led the Mystics (9-4) with a career-high 24 points and Kristi Tolliver had 18 points and nine rebounds. The Mystics had their five-game win streak snapped.

ACES 90, LIBERTY 58

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) - Kayla McBride scored 24 points and Liz Cambage added 21 to lead the Aces to a rout of New York, ending the Liberty's four-game winning streak.

Las Vegas (9-5) was playing two days after it's game against Washington was suspended at the half after an earthquake in California stopped the game. The Aces' court was playable, but the decision was made out of an abundance of caution to suspend it. The WNBA will decide when the game will be made up.

The Aces jumped out to a 12-2 lead and were up 12 at the half as Cambage was a force. She finished the first half with 13 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals.

Tina Charles scored 13 points to lead New York while second-leading scorer Kia Nurse had a rough game going 1-for-13 from the field. She missed her first 11 shots before hitting a layup early in the fourth quarter.

SKY 78, WINGS 66

CHICAGO (AP) - Jantel Lavender had a season-high 20 points and 10 rebounds, Kahleah Copper scored a season-high 16 points, and the Sky pulled away late to beat the Wings.

Diamond DeShields added 10 points and Courtney Vandersloot finished with seven points and 11 assists for Chicago. The Sky (7-7) snapped a five-game losing streak.

Theresa Plaisance hit a 3-pointer to give the Wings (4-9) a 66-63 lead with 3:59 to play but DeShields answered with a 3 and Copper made 1 of 2 free throws to make it 67-66 with three minutes left. Lavender scored six points and Stefanie Dolson added five from there to cap the scoring.

The Wings went 0 for 6 from the field with two turnovers over the final three-plus minutes.

Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 22 points but shot just 7 of 21 from the field, including 0 for 5 in the fourth quarter when the Wings were outscored 26-12.

MERCURY 65, DREAM 63

PHOENIX (AP) - Brittney Griner scored a season-high 31 points, including two free throws with 3.1 seconds left, to help the Mercury beat the Dream.

Griner was 11-of-15 shooting and finished with 12 rebounds and three blocks. Leilani Mitchell added 13 points and DeWanna Bonner had 11 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for Phoenix (6-6).

Atlanta's Brittney Sykes hit two free throws, Tiffany Hayes and Renee Montgomery made back-to-back 3-pointers and Elizabeth Williams made a layup to cap a 10-0 run that made it 63-all with 16.7 seconds remaining. After Griner's foul shots, Bonner stole a pass from Sykes to seal it.

Sykes led the Dream (3-10) with 29 points and 10 rebounds, both season highs. They have lost five of their last six.

Phoenix has won four of its last five.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA JULY'S OPINIONS AND BEST BETS: ALL BASED ON 5 UNITS

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

07/07/2019 3-5-0 37.50% -12.50
07/06/2019 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
07/05/2019 6-2-0 75.00% +19.00
07/03/2019 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
07/02/2019 3-1-0 75.00% +9.50


Totals............14-10-0 .......58.33% ....+15.00


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BEST BETS:

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

07/07/2019.............2 - 2....................-1.00..................1 - 3.................-11.50...............-12.50
07/06/2019.............0 - 1....................-5.50..................1 - 0.................+5.00...............-0.50
07/05/2019.............3 - 1....................+9.50.................2 - 1.................+4.50...............+14.00
07/03/2019.............1 - 0....................+5.00.................0 - 1..................-5.50................-0.50
07/02/2019.............2 - 0....................+10.00...............1 - 1..................-0.50................+9.50


Totals.....................8 - 4....................+18.00...............5 - 6..................-8.00.................+10.00

[StarDust Bum]

Monday’s 6-pack

Over/under win totals for SEC West football teams

— Alabama 11.5 (under -$300)

— Arkansas (under -$160)

— Auburn (over -$125)

— LSU 9 (under -$150)

— Ole Miss 4.5 (over -$1705)

— Mississippi State 7.5 (over-$130)

— Texas A&M 7.5 (over -$115)

Quote of the Day
“The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.”
Arnold Palmer

Monday’s quiz
In the early 60’s there was a Home Run Derby TV show; in what ballpark was it filmed?

Sunday’s quiz
Paul George played his college basketball at Fresno State.

Saturday’s quiz
Clippers were the Buffalo Braves before they became the Clippers.


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Monday’s Den: AFC trends to think about this season……

Baltimore Ravens- Over last decade, Ravens are 9-16-1 vs spread when a home favorite in a division game.

Buffalo Bills- Last three years, over is 18-6 in Buffalo’s home games.

Cincinnati Bengals- Over last decade, Bengals are 20-8-2 vs spread as an underdog of 3 or fewer points.

Cleveland Browns- Since 2010, Browns are 7-14-2 vs spread as a home favorite.

Denver Broncos- Over last decade, Denver is 10-19-1 vs spread in AFC West home games.

Houston Texans- Texans won their last four season openers, scoring 32.3 ppg; under O’Brien, they’re 17-22-1 vs spread as an underdog, 22-14-1 as a favorite.

Indianapolis Colts- Over last decade, over is 32-23 in Colts’ games on natural grass, under is 57-46-2 in their games on artificial turf.

Jacksonville Jaguars- Jaguars’ turnover ratios the last four years:
-14 (5-11), +10 (10-6), -16 (3-13), -10 (5-11)

Jaguars are 8-5 vs spread in last 13 games as a home underdog.

Kansas City Chiefs- Since 2013, under is 31-17 in Kansas City home games.

Los Angeles Chargers- Over last decade, they’re 9-21 vs spread in AFC West home games; Bolts are 6-9 vs spread in their home games in Carson the last two years- this is their last year there, before the new dome opens in LA.

Miami Dolphins- in three years under Gase, Miami was 7-3-1 vs spread as a home underdog, 7-15 vs spread as a road underdog. Over last decade, Dolphins are 8-19 vs spread when laying points at home against a non-division opponent.

New England Patriots- Last four years, under is 20-11-1 in New England road games. Since 2015, Patriots are 28-13-3 vs spread as a home favorite, 9-5-2 in AFC East games, 19-8-1 in all the other games.

New Jersey Jets- Over last decade, underdogs are 22-8 vs spread in Jets’ AFC East home games. Since 2011, Jets are 8-18-2 vs spread as a road underdog outside their division.

Oakland Raiders- Last two years, Silver and Black is 3-12-1 vs spread as a road underdog. Over last decade, they’re 22-33-3 vs spread in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Pittsburgh Steelers- Since 2012, Steelers are 15-7-1 vs spread as a road underdog; they’ve won SU in Week 17 the last 11 years (7-4 vs spread, 0-3 last three years).

Tennessee Titans- Since 2011, Titans are 5-17-2 vs spread as an underdog of 3 or fewer points. Over last decade, Tennessee is 8-21-1 vs spread in AFC South road games.

[Udog]

Tuesday’s 6-pack

Over/under win totals for SEC East football teams
— Florida 9 (under -$180)
— Georgia 11 (under -$160)
— Kentucky 6.5 (over -$125)
— Missouri 8 (over -$150)
— South Carolina 5.5 (over -$155)
— Tennessee 6.5
— Vanderbilt 5 (under -$200)

Quote of the Day
“Major League Baseball’s turning this game into a joke. They own Rawlings, and you’ve got Manfred up here saying it might be the way they center the pill. They own the f—ing company. If any other $40 billion company bought out a $400 million company and the product changed dramatically, it’s not a guess as to what happened. We all know what happened. Manfred the first time he came in, what’d he say? He said we want more offense. All of a sudden he comes in, the balls are juiced? It’s not coincidence. We’re not idiots.”
Justin Verlander, who is a pitcher, by the way

Tuesday’s quiz
Who won the first Home Run Derby, in 1985 in the Metrodome in Minnesota?

Monday’s quiz
In the early 60’s there was a Home Run Derby TV show; it was it filmed at an old ballpark called Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, where the Angels briefly called home.

Sunday’s quiz
Paul George played his college basketball at Fresno State.


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Tuesday’s Den: ACC football knowledge……

Boston College- Went 7-5 or 7-6 five of last six years; since 2014, Eagles are 11-2-1 vs spread as a road underdog. Last two years, BC is 10-3-1 vs spread coming off win. Junior QB Brown already has 22 career starts; their top four rushers are all back.

Clemson- Tigers won 10+ games eight years in a row; they won four of last five bowls, with three of those wins by 27+ points. Clemson covered 15 of last 19 neutral field games; they’ve been an underdog once the last four years.

Duke- Blue Devils won last three bowls, scoring 44-36-56 points; they’ll have a new, more mobile QB this year, but Cutcliffe is a QB guru. Last four years, Duke is 12-19-1 vs spread in ACC games. Average total in Duke’s last five bowls: 79.0.

Florida State- Seminoles are 12-13 SU the last two years, after going 59-9 from 2012-16. FSU is -17 in turnovers the last two years, 8-12 vs spread in last 20 home games, 9-13-2 in last 24 games as a favorite. Average total in FSU’s last five bowls: 66.8.

Georgia Tech- Collins went 15-10 at Temple; changing from option attack to more traditional offense can be dicey. Tech has only 9 of 22 starters back, with an inexperienced offensive line. Opening at Clemson will be a reality check, but Collins is a good coach.

Louisville- Cardinals went 2-10 LY after eight winning years in a row, so Petrino got the boot and Satterfield comes in from Appalachian State (47-16). Last three years, Louisville is 12-26 vs spread (1-11 LY), 3-11 in non-conference games.

Miami- Mark Richt went 26-13 in three years; not good enough. Defensive-minded Manny Diaz is the new coach; he has a new QB, inexperience on OL. Since 2012, Miami is 4-9-1 as road underdogs. From 2015-17, they were +34 in turnovers, were -1 LY.

North Carolina- Mack Brown was on TV last five years; now he is back on sidelines after UNC went 5-17 last two years under the cloud of an academic scandal. Tar Heels lot last three bowls; their last bowl win was 2013. UNC will be breaking in a new QB this year.

NC State- Wolfpack had five straight winning seasons, went 11-5 in ACC last two years, after going 17-31 the six years before that. State has a new QB and only two starters back on OL, so the offense (4 starters back overall) could take a step back this year.

Pittsburgh- Pitt lost last four bowls, with pair of 1-point losses; their last bowl win was in 2014, over Bowling Green (30-27, +6.5). Under Narduzzi, Panthers are 12-6 vs spread as road underdogs, 5-10-1 as home favorites.

Syracuse- Orangemen had their first winning season (10-3) in five years LY; they won their last four bowls (were favored in only one of those), with last bowl loss in 2004. Under Babers, Syracuse is 9-3 vs spread as a road underdog.

Virginia- LY’s 8-5 record was first winning season in seven years; they even pitched a shutout in their bowl game. Since 2014, Cavaliers are 15-7 vs spread outside the ACC- they start couple of sophs, three juniors on OL, so they’ll be very solid the next two years.

Virginia Tech- In three years under Fuente, Hokies are 9-5 vs spread as home favorites, 7-13 vs spread in all their other games; they’ve got 10 starters back on defense TY. QB Willis has 20 career starts; six of their top seven rushers are back.

Wake Forest- Deacons are 22-17 SU last three years, winning bowls all three years while scoring 42 ppg. Wake is 4-0-1 vs spread in lat five bowls; they covered 10 of last 13 games as a road underdog; last four years, they’re 16-8-1 vs spread coming off a loss.

[Udog]

WNBA Betting Recap - 7/2-7/8
Joe Williams

League Betting Notes (Tuesday, July 2 through Monday, July 8)

-- Underdogs went 6-5 straight up (SU)
-- Underdogs went 8-3 against the spread (ATS)
-- Road teams went 6-5 SU
-- Road teams went 8-3 ATS
-- The 'under' went 7-4

Season Totals To Date

-- Favorites are 47-37 straight up (SU)
-- Underdogs 50-31-3 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams are 49-35 SU
-- Road teams are 44-37-3 ATS
-- The 'under' is 50-34

Team Betting Notes

-- Atlanta (3-10 SU, 5-8 ATS) picked up a surprising road win over the defending WNBA champions in Seattle (8-8 SU, 7-8-1 ATS) on Friday night, and they lost a narrow game in Phoenix (6-6 SU, 5-6-1 ATS) on Sunday. The Dream has struggled without star F Angel McCoughtry (knee), but they have covered back-to-back games, and they're a respectable 4-3 ATS over the past seven.

-- As far as the Storm is concerned, they have really struggled without stars Breanna Stewart (Achilles') and Sue Bird (knee) this season, and several other complementary options out of the lineup. They have dropped three in a row, and failed to cover in each. They have scored 67 or fewer points in three of the past five, and five of the past eight. As such, they're a favorite at the betting window for total bettors, with the 'under' cashing in seven of the past nine.

-- For the Mercury, they're on an upward trajectory after a slow start. Phoenix has won four of the past five, and defense has been key to the turnaround. The under is 3-0 in the past three, and 5-2 over the past seven outings, as well as 3-0 in the past three on the road.

-- Chicago (7-7 SU, 8-5-1 ATS) has been playing so-so ball lately, as they entered Sunday's game against Dallas (4-9 SU, 7-6 ATS) on a four-game skid. A win over the last-place Wings isn't exactly a turnaround, but it's a start. They have covered two in a row for the first time since four straight covers from June 9-19.

-- For the Wings, they have dropped and failed to cover in two in a row, but surprisingly it's their first time failing to cover consecutive games since an 0-3 ATS run from June 7-13. They have kept games surprisingly close despite their losing ways. The under is 4-1 over their past five, too, and 11-2 in their 13 games overall.

-- Connecticut (9-5 SU, 6-8 ATS) continues its nosedive after a 9-1 start to the season. They have dropped four straight dating back to June 23, and they have failed to cover in five in a row. A lack of scoring has been the problem, as the Sun is averaging just 69.5 PPG over the past four after scoring 81.1 PPG in the first 10 outings.

-- Indiana (6-9 SU, 8-7 ATS) has matched its win total from 2018, which is fairly impressive. However, they have benefited by a frontloaded schedule with Dallas appearing on the early slate three times. They're done with the Wings now, going 3-0 SU/ATS against Dallas, and 3-9 SU and 5-7 ATS against everyone else.

-- Las Vegas (9-5 SU, 5-9 ATS) routed defensively-challened New York (7-8 SU, 7-7-1 ATS) on the road, winning for the third straight game, and fifth time in the past six. The Aces have scored 90 or more points in each of the past three outings, a key to their success. Suddenly, they're looking like a WNBA championship contender like they were picked to be during the preseason after their acquisition of Liz Cambage.

-- Los Angeles (7-6 SU, 6-6-1 ATS) enters the new week with victories in a season-high three straight games, and they're also on a season-best 3-0 ATS run while hitting the 'over' in four in a row. L.A. has registered at least 86 points on offense in three in a row after failing to hit the mark in each of their first four, and nine of their first 11.

-- Minnesota (8-6 SU, 8-5-1 ATS) won and covered each of their two games in the completed week, topping Atlanta at home by 17 and winning by three on the road in Connecticut as an eight-point 'dog. The Lynx have covered three in a row as an underdog, but it was their first outright win in four tries as a 'dog.

-- The Liberty rank dead-last in scoring defense, allowing 82.8 PPG. However, their lack of scoring lately has resulted in four unders in the past five outings.

-- Washington (9-4 SU, 8-5 ATS) had their season-best five-game winning streak snapped in L.A., running into a hot Sparks side. The Mystics are still 5-1 ATS over the past six outings and 6-3 ATS as a favorite.

[Udog]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, July 9

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LOS ANGELES (7 - 6) at DALLAS (4 - 9) - 7/9/2019, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 29-51 ATS (-27.1 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 148-191 ATS (-62.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games on Tuesday over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

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

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WNBA

Tuesday, July 9

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Trend Report
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Los Angeles Sparks
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games
Los Angeles is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Los Angeles is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Los Angeles is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Los Angeles's last 11 games when playing Dallas
Los Angeles is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Los Angeles is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas Wings
Dallas is 8-17 ATS in its last 25 games
Dallas is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Dallas's last 13 games
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games at home
Dallas is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Dallas's last 11 games when playing Los Angeles
Dallas is 13-4 ATS in its last 17 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
Dallas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles


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[Udog]

LOS ANGELES SPARKS AT DALLAS WINGS (+6.5, 154.5)

It took a little while, but the Sparks seem to have found their footing in Derek Fisher’s new offense. Los Angeles enjoyed a three-game home stand, winning all three contests while averaging almost 93 points over those victories.

A new coach and an inconsistent start to the 2019 season – in which the Sparks played without superstar Candace Parker for the first seven games of the schedule – left L.A. to average just 75.4 points through the first 10 games, shooting a dismal 39.9 percent from the field.

The team has connected on 46.8 percent of its looks during this three-game winning streak but hits the road for Tuesday’s early wake-up in Dallas, which is being played at 10 a.m. PT back in California. The Sparks put up only 76.1 points on 40.4 percent shooting away from home and have managed a 2-4-1 record against the spread as visitors.

The Wings are among the bottom teams in the WNBA but have defended home court with teeth, covering in five of their seven contests inside the College Park Center. Dallas plays a methodical pace as a host (90.69) which should slow down any momentum L.A. builds on offense, allowing a league-low 70.9 points per game at home.

The Wings also have forward Glory Johnson back in the lineup for the second straight game, after she was away playing in Europe. That helps shore up Dallas' interior defense, which is allowing only 31.7 points in the paint per game.

Los Angeles may extend its winning streak, but the Wings won’t make it easy. Dallas has always played L.A. well, owning a 26-8-2 ATS record in their last 36 head-to-head matchups, including a 13-4 ATS mark versus the Sparks at home.

PREDICTION: Dallas +6.5

Sunday’s pick: 1-1
Season to date: 33-22

[Udog]

WNBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, July 9


Los Angeles @ Dallas

Game 653-654
July 9, 2019 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
114.785
Dallas
102.186
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 12 1/2
149
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
by 5 1/2
153
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(-5 1/2); Under

[Udog]

Wednesday’s 6-pack

Props for NFL teams making the playoffs:
— Miami Dolphins No -$2,500, Yes +$1,100
— Minnesota Vikings No -$130, Yes +$110
— New Orleans Saints Yes -$330, No +$260
— New Jersey Giants No -$700, Yes +$500
— New Jersey Jets No -$425, Yes +$325
— Oakland Raiders No -$800, Yes +$550

Quote of the Day
“If you’re the smartest person in the room, go to another room.”
Ralph Lawler

Wednesday’s quiz
Which team had the most players in the All-Star Game this year?

Tuesday’s quiz
Dave Parker won the first Home Run Derby, in 1985 in the Metrodome in Minnesota.

Monday’s quiz
In the early 60’s there was a Home Run Derby TV show; it was it filmed at an old ballpark called Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, where the Angels briefly called home.


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

13) I’d rather watch NBA Summer League games than Home Run Derby; just would rather watch actual games with guys competing for jobs.

Overall I’m a much bigger baseball fan than an NBA fan, but I like games, not batting practice.

12) Been listening to Sam Mitchell do analysis on NBA Summer League games; he’s great, he tells stories, just sits there and talks about ball, which is all I’m asking for.

11) Tip of the cap to my friend Phil, who nailed a $50 bet on Pete Alonso at 5-1 to win the Home Run Derby.

This makes up for the summer night in 1983 when we were at jai-alai in Hartford, CT and Phil didn’t do so well; he unleashed a torrent of epithets at a player named Gurney who cost Phil a quinella with a bad blunder. To this day it is the hardest I’ve ever laughed in my entire life; had tears running down my face, I was laughing so hard.

Phil….he wasn’t laughing; hope this makes up for it.

10) Cincinnati Reds used five different left fielders in Sunday’s game, the first time that has happened since 1908; they also used four 2B Sunday, first time they’ve done that since 1958.

In that 1958 game, Gus Bell went 1-5 for the Reds with a run scored and an RBI; his grandson David is the Reds’ manager now.

9) Jay Bruce is the first player in MLB history to hit 10+ home runs for two different teams before the All-Star break; he hit 14 for Seattle, has 10 for the Phillies.

8) Astros, Twins, Braves and Brewers are supposedly the teams most interested in Madison Bumgarner; Minnesota is the only one of those teams that can acquire Bumgarner without his permission.

7) Jaxson Hayes is running amok for the New Orleans Pelicans in summer league; this is a kid who never started a high school game until his senior year, which means that only 20 months ago, he had never started a game, and now he looks like an NBA star in the making.

6) Seth Greenberg is really good on TV and he was a good college hoop coach, but he said something the other day, that was odd…….odd as in, people who work for ESPN aren’t allowed to criticize guys who played for Duke.

He was talking about Cam Reddish on the Hawks: “He was regarded as a good shooter coming out of high school, but he didn’t make many shots last year.”

It is pretty easy to decide who the good shooters are: they make the most shots. Reddish shot 39.4% inside the arc, 33.3% outside the arc at Duke last season. Not good.

5) Thanasis Antetokounmpo is signing a fully guaranteed two-year, $3M veteran’s minimum deal with the Bucks. Milwaukee is getting creative with ways to keep his brother Giannis, one of the best players in the league, but as a lifelong Oakland A’s fan who had to live thru the Jeremy Giambi era, it likely won’t work.

4) Rams’ QB Jared Goff got his first hole-in-one a few weeks ago. I got a hole-in-one once, but it came on a windmill hole, so I’m told that doesn’t count.

3) Chinese Nationals 84, Hornets 80— I know it is only summer league, but Michael Jordan owns the Hornets and he couldn’t have been too happy after this game Monday night.

2) Has the Home Run Derby hurt the All-Star Game’s popularity? Sometimes it seems like the home run contest has surpassed the game as a fun event for fans.

1) Commercial on the Mets’ game Sunday: “Cremation starting for as little as $895!!!”

Who knew cremation was such a good deal?

[Udog]

WNBA

Wednesday, July 10

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Trend Report
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Connecticut Sun
Connecticut is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Connecticut is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Connecticut is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Connecticut's last 6 games
Connecticut is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Connecticut's last 7 games on the road
Connecticut is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Connecticut is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Connecticut's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Connecticut is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Connecticut is 4-18 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Connecticut's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta Dream
Atlanta is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games
Atlanta is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Connecticut
Atlanta is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing Connecticut
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Connecticut
Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Connecticut
Atlanta is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against Connecticut
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against Connecticut

Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix's last 8 games
Phoenix is 17-7-1 ATS in its last 25 games on the road
Phoenix is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Phoenix is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games on the road
Phoenix is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games when playing Washington
Phoenix is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
Phoenix is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Phoenix's last 12 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington Mystics
Washington is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games
Washington is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Phoenix
Washington is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Washington's last 12 games when playing at home against Phoenix

Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Las Vegas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Las Vegas's last 7 games
Las Vegas is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Las Vegas is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Las Vegas's last 5 games on the road
Las Vegas is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Indiana
Las Vegas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
Las Vegas is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Las Vegas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Las Vegas's last 9 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana Fever
Indiana is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Indiana is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Indiana is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Las Vegas
Indiana is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Las Vegas
Indiana is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Las Vegas
Indiana is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Las Vegas
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Indiana's last 9 games when playing at home against Las Vegas

Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Minnesota's last 19 games on the road
Minnesota is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Chicago
Minnesota is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Chicago
Minnesota is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago Sky
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games
Chicago is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games at home
Chicago is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
Chicago is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing Minnesota
Chicago is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota


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[Udog]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, July 10

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

CONNECTICUT (9 - 5) at ATLANTA (3 - 10) - 7/10/2019, 11:00 AM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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

PHOENIX (6 - 6) at WASHINGTON (9 - 4) - 7/10/2019, 11:30 AM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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LAS VEGAS (9 - 5) at INDIANA (6 - 9) - 7/10/2019, 12:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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

MINNESOTA (8 - 6) at CHICAGO (7 - 7) - 7/10/2019, 9:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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

[Udog]

WNBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, July 10


Connecticut @ Atlanta

Game 655-656
July 10, 2019 @ 11:00 am

Dunkel Rating:
Connecticut
108.114
Atlanta
105.610
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Connecticut
by 2 1/2
154
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Connecticut
by 5 1/2
151 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+5 1/2); Over

Phoenix @ Washington

Game 657-658
July 10, 2019 @ 11:30 am

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
112.217
Washington
118.301
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 6
145
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 8
155 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(+8); Under

Las Vegas @ Indiana

Game 659-660
July 10, 2019 @ 12:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Las Vegas
116.103
Indiana
107.232
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Las Vegas
by 9
166
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Las Vegas
by 7 1/2
162 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Las Vegas
(-7 1/2); Over

Minnesota @ Chicago

Game 661-662
July 10, 2019 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
112.241
Chicago
107.857
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 4 1/2
156
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 1
160 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-1); Under

[Udog]

CONNECTICUT SUN AT ATLANTA DREAM (+5, 152)

The Sun are a desperate team heading into Wednesday’s 11 a.m. ET tipoff in Atlanta. Connecticut, which was among the WNBA’s elite, has lost four in a row and has failed to cover the WNBA pointspreads in five straight, going back to its previous meeting with the Dream.

Offensively, the Sun are out of sync during this skid. After averaging 81 points on 41.5-percent shooting through the first 10 games of the season (9-1 SU, 6-4 ATS), Connecticut has posted just 69.5 points on 38.8 percent shooting from the field – including 28.8 percent from 3-point range – during this four-game skid.

Even before this losing slump, the Sun struggled to score on the road, putting up just 75 points on 35 percent shooting in their first four contests away from home – a 10-point dive from their home average of 85 points per outing.

Atlanta enters Wednesday as the second-worst scoring team in the league, managing just under 70 points per game in 2019. The Dream are equally weak on defense, ranked among the bottom of the WNBA, but have tightened up on that end of the floor in their past two games, holding Phoenix and Seattle to 35.3 percent shooting, including just 24 percent from the perimeter.

The teams share a 2-5 Over/Under mark in home/away splits and with two struggling offenses and an early 11 a.m. ET start, there’s solid value in the Under.

PREDICTION: Under 152


MINNESOTA LYNX AT CHICAGO SKY (+1, 157.5)

The Lynx make the middle stop of their three-game road trip in the Windy City Wednesday. Minnesota has won back-to-back games and four of its last five heading into this matchup with the Chicago Sky, and offense is fueling this surge.

The Lynx are averaging 83 points during that five-game span – a sharp uptick from their scoring production of 75 points per game over the first seven contests of the season. Minnesota is coming out of the blocks much quicker, putting up 22.6 points per first quarter compared to only 18.2 in the first 10 minutes to start the schedule.

Chicago is one of the fastest starters in the league, posting 23 points in opening quarters so far in 2019. The Sky score almost 30 percent of their total points in those first 10 minutes, while allowing opponents to light up the scoreboard as well, giving up a WNBA-high 23.5 first-quarter points heading into Wednesday. Over its last five games – in which Chicago is just 1-4 – it’s leaked 26.6 points in the first frame.

These rivals haven’t met since the season opener back in late May, when they combined for 46 first-quarter points. We’re predicting even more production in the opening 10 minutes Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Over first quarter 39

Tuesday’s picks: 1-0
Season to date: 34-22

[Udog]

Friday’s 6-pack
Over/under win totals for NFL teams for this season:
— Pittsburgh Steelers 9 (over -$125)
— San Francisco 49ers 8 (over-$120)
— Seattle Seahawks 8.5 (over -$140)
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6.5 (under -$120)
— Tennessee Titans 8 (under -$130)
— Washington Redskins 6.5 (under -$140)

Quote of the Day
“You spend a great deal of time gripping a baseball only to find in the end it was the other way around.”
Jim Bouton

Friday’s quiz
Before moving to Texas in 1972, where did the Rangers call home?

Thursday’s quiz
Fred Gwynne played the judge in the great comedy, My Cousin Vinny; he is better known as Herman Munster on the 60’s TV show, The Munsters.

Wednesday’s quiz
Houston Astros had the most players (six) in the All-Star Game this year.

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

Friday’s List of 13: NFL knowledge on a summer day

13) Cleveland has a first-time head coach, a star WR who has played one game in December the last two years (3 catches for 35 yards) and high expectations (they’re favored to win the AFC North, at 5-4 odds). Lot of combustible personalities for a team that is 1-18-1 in season openers, but Mayfield showed great promise at QB LY, and 2nd year QB’s have done well lately.

Browns went 7-9 LY despite a +7 turnover ratio, after going 1-31 the previous two years; they spent the most $$$ in NFL LY on WR’s, and now they add Beckham, not the most dependable guy (played in 16 of 32 games the last two years).

Last three years, Cleveland is 2-22 SU on road; under is 16-6-1 in their last 23 home games. Browns are favored to win their division; they’ve been favored in only four of their last 48 games.

12) Troy Aikman says you can’t teach a QB to be accurate, which has to be scary for Buffalo’s fans; Josh Allen ranked 39th among 39 qualified QB’s in adjusted completion %age; he was dead last (28%) in completion %age while under pressure. No bueno.

Buffalo spent the most $$$ in the NFL LY on running backs; they ran the ball the 5th-most in the league. Bills went 6-10 LY but was 3-0 in games decided by 3 or fewer points, a red flag. Allen has to throw the ball better, or else…….

11) Cincinnati hired Zac Taylor as HC because he worked for Sean McVay for a year; Taylor’s father-in-law is former Green Bay coach Mike Sherman. Bengals scored 31.5 ppg in their first four games LY but once TE Tyler Eifert got hurt, their offense went in the ashcan (20.2 ppg) the rest of the season.

Last two years, Bengals are 12-7 vs spread as an underdog; they were 2-5 LY in games decided by 8 or fewer points. Taylor took a long time hiring a defensive coordinator; we’ll see if finally firing Marvin Lewis (131-122-3 in 16 years as HC) was a good move.

10) Atlanta Falcons ran 73 plays inside opponents’ 10-yard line LY; Falcons’ success on plays inside 10-yard line ranked 28th in NFL.The new OC is Dirk Koetter; last time he called plays in the NFL was 2017, when his Tampa Bay Bucs ranked 24th in red zone offense- he’ll need to do better than that this year.

Last two years, Atlanta is 2-6 vs spread as an underdog, 4-11 vs spread in true road games.

9) Dallas was 9-3 LY in games decided by 8 or fewer points; they spent the most $$$ in the league on their offensive line. Prescott is the 43rd-highest paid QB in the NFL for one more year, but they’ll have to break the bank for him next winter.

Last three years, Cowboys are 16-10 vs spread as a favorite; under is 17-7 in their road games.

8) Lions were #2 in NFL LY in $$ spent on QB’s; Matthew Stafford has a 66-75 career record in the NFL, 0-3 in playoff games. He is 31 years old.

Last two years, Detroit is 10-5 vs spread on road, 8-4 vs spread when favored. LY was the Lions’ worst SU record since 2012; they fired Jim Caldwell after consecutive 9-7 seasons, and hired a first-time HC because he was on a team with Tom Brady.

Lions’ last playoff win was in 1991; I still had hair in 1991.

7) Last time a college coach jumped to the NFL with as much fanfare as Kliff Kingsbury was Chip Kelly going from Oregon to the Eagles in 2013, but Kelly wasn’t fired at Oregon. Philly had a minus-24 turnover ratio in 2012; it improved to +12 in 2013, the biggest reason why the Iggles improved from 4-12 to 10-6. Eagles wound up going 27-22 under Kelly, 0-1 in playoffs.

Last year’s Cardinals were minus-12 in turnovers LY; is a similar scenario going to play out? Redbirds went 1-7 SU at home LY, after going 9-6 in 2016-17. Kingsbury is their third HC in three years, with a rookie QB starting- they’ll be interesting.

6) Aaron Rodgers will be 36 in December; he played LY with a broken bone in his leg and an MCL sprain, but he didn’t get along with coach McCarthy, so coach McCarthy is ex-coach McCarthy, and Matt LaFleur is the new coach, in part because he worked for Sean McVay.

Green Bay is 13-19 SU the last two years; they were 3-6 LY in one-score games. Packers are 5-12 vs spread in their last 17 games as an underdog.

If you play fantasy football, Davante Adams was targeted on 28 red zone plays LY; no one else had more than nine such targets. Will that change under LaFleur?

5) NFL QB’s drafted from 2012-17 went 37-59 SU as rookies, 63-44 in their second year, and Mitch Trubisky (4-8 in ’17, 11-3 LY) followed that pattern LY.

Bears were +12 in turnovers LY, which will be hard to duplicate; they were +17 in sacks, had 17 fewer penalties, and three more (6-3) return TD’s.They better have a good season this year; their salary cap for 2020 is a mess- they’ll likely need to purge some veterans next winter.

4) Ravens were 6-1 LY when Lamar Jackson started at QB, 4-5 when Joe Flacco started; now Flacco lives in Denver. Ravens ranked 31st in NFL LY in money spent on QB’s; they ranked #1 in spending on cornerbacks.

Average total in a Ravens’ game in 2017 was 40.6; LY, it was 44.8. Six of Flacco’s last seven starts stayed under the total. Baltimore scored 20+ points in all seven Jackson starts, with only loss 27-24 at KC- over was 4-3.

3) Denver went 6-10 LY despite a +7 turnover ratio; they’ll have their 4th different #1 QB in five years this season, with Keenum off to Washington. Broncos were #29 in NFL LY in $$$ spent on their offense; despite that, their offense efficiency improved from 31st to 14th, but they hired defensive-minded Fangio as their new coach. Go figure.

Last two years, Broncos are 4-10 vs spread as a favorite, 1-6 at home. Not good.

2) Last year, Houston led the NFL in $$$ spent on defense; they were 30th in $$$ spent on their offense— playing a young QB helps there. Watson is 14-6 as an NFL starter; Texans jumped from 4-12 to 11-5 LY- they went 1-3 vs Brady/Luck, 10-2 vs an assortment of average to lousy QB’s on the rest of their schedule.

11 of Houston’s 16 games LY were decided by one score; they were +13 in turnovers, which is a major red flag when you combine those two. Hard to go +13 again and if they don’t, those close games go the other way.

DeAndre Hopkins had 19 red zone targets LY; no one else had more than eight.

1) Carolina Panthers have never had consecutive winning seasons, so LY’s 7-9 record could be a source of optimism- they were 3-7 in games decided by 8 or fewer pioints. Panthers haven’t won a playoff game since losing the Super Bowl after the 2015 season. It would help if Cam Newton’s shoulder is healthy, which remains to be seen.

Last three years, Carolina is 2-7 as a road favorite; Panthers led the NFL LY in $$ spent on defensive linemen- their overall defensive efficiency slipped from #7 to #22 LY.