Announcement

**Udog** · 08-07-2020, 08:38 AM

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

These were over/unders for points scored in Thursday’s NBA games:
33.5— James Harden
30.5— Luka Doncic (29)
26.5— Devin Booker (20), Kawhi Leonard (29), Damian Lillard
24.5— TJ Warren (16)
23.5— De’Aaron Fox (30), Paul George (24)
22.5— Kristaps Porzingis (30)

Americans who have died from COVID-19: 159,018
Please wear a mask when you go out.

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Armadillo:Friday's Den: My hypothetical all-time NBA 1-on-1 tournament

No seeding involved, tried to create interesting first round games

Pool A:
Lebron James vs Michael Jordan
Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird

Pool B:
Steph Curry vs Reggie Miller
Kobe Bryant vs Oscar Robertson

Pool C:
Pete Maravich vs Gary Payton
George Gervin vs Dwyane Wade

Pool D:
Julius Erving vs Kawhi Leonard
David Thompson vs Paul Pierce

Pool E:
Earl Monroe vs Walt Frazier
Russell Westbrook vs Kevin Durant

Pool F:
Kevin Garnett vs Karl-Anthony Towns
Charles Barkley vs Carmelo Anthony

Pool G:
Kareem Adbul-Jabbar vs Shaquille O’Neal
Bob Lanier vs Dirk Nowitzki

Pool H:
Bernard King vs Scottie Pippen
Billy Cunningham vs LaMarcus Aldridge

Pool I:
Dominique Wilkins vs Luka Doncic
Steve Nash vs Allen Iverson

Pool J:
Rick Barry vs Paul George
Jerry West vs Kyle Lowry

Pool K:
Connie Hawkins vs Dan Issel
Damian Lillard vs Clyde Drexler

Pool L:
Wilt Chamberlain vs Tim Duncan
Hakeem Olajuwon vs David Robinson

Pool M:
Nate Archibald vs Isiah Thomas
John Havlicek vs Alex English

Pool N:
Bill Russell vs Moses Malone
Artis Gilmore vs Patrick Ewing

Pool O:
Elvin Hayes vs Karl Malone
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs James Harden

Pool P:
George McGinnis vs James Worthy
Anthony Davis vs Joel Embiid

**Udog** · 08-07-2020, 08:40 AM

NBA public betting, line movement for August 7
Patrick Everson

Pascal Siakam and the Raptors aim to lock down the East's No. 2 seed in a Friday night battle against the Celtics. The SuperBook opened Toronto -3, and that line held steady Thursday night.

NBA betting odds are posted and seeing money for Friday’s six-game slate. The marquee matchup is the day’s final game, an Eastern Conference clash between the Boston Celtics and the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors.

The SuperBook at Westgate provided insights on NBA opening lines and early line movement, sharp money and public betting for Friday’s matchups.

NBA line movement

Toronto is a perfect 3-0 SU and ATS in the NBA Bubble and aims to seal the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed Friday night. The SuperBook opened the Raptors a 3-point favorite over the Celtics, and there was no line movement Thursday night for a 9 p.m. ET tipoff.

The Grizzlies are clinging to the eighth seed in the West, but face a tough chore against the Thunder, who are coming off a 105-86 rout of the Lakers on Wednesday. Oklahoma City opened a 3.5-point favorite and moved to -4.5 late Thursday evening for a 4 p.m. ET start.

NBA public betting

Consensus in the Celtics-Raptors clash indicates a solid preference for Toronto, which was drawing 65 percent of picks Thursday night. The preference is even greater for the Thunder, landing 72 percent of Covers Consensus picks against the Grizzlies.

**Udog** · 08-07-2020, 08:41 AM

701UTAH -702 SAN ANTONIO
SAN ANTONIO is 9-22 ATS (-15.2 Units) after scoring 105 points or more 5 straight games in the last 3 seasons.

703OKLAHOMA CITY -704 MEMPHIS
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) in road games off an upset win as an underdog in the current season.

705SACRAMENTO -706 BROOKLYN
SACRAMENTO is 10-2 ATS (7.8 Units) in road games after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7 games in the current season.

707ORLANDO -708 PHILADELPHIA
ORLANDO is 14-3 ATS (10.7 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=46% in the current season.

709WASHINGTON -710 NEW ORLEANS
WASHINGTON is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses in the current season.

711BOSTON -712 TORONTO
BOSTON is 9-1 ATS (7.9 Units) after a blowout win by 20 points or more in the current season.

**Udog** · 08-07-2020, 08:44 AM

NBA

Friday, August 7

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Trend Report
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Utah @ San Antonio
Utah
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Utah's last 8 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Utah is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
San Antonio
San Antonio is 16-2 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Utah
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Antonio's last 8 games when playing at home against Utah

Oklahoma City @ Memphis
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Memphis's last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Memphis's last 7 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City

Sacramento @ Brooklyn
Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Sacramento's last 8 games
Sacramento is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing at home against Sacramento
Brooklyn is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Sacramento

Orlando @ Philadelphia
Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Orlando's last 16 games
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home

Washington @ New Orleans
Washington
Washington is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Washington is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing New Orleans
New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of New Orleans's last 14 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 6 games

Boston @ Toronto
Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games on the road
Toronto
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games at home

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**Udog** · 08-07-2020, 09:52 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Friday, August 7

Utah @ San Antonio

Game 701-702
August 7, 2020 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
111.866
San Antonio
122.184
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 10 1/2
242
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 8
227
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-8); Over

Oklahoma City @ Memphis

Game 703-704
August 7, 2020 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
123.639
Memphis
114.665
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 9
214
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 4 1/2
224
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(-4 1/2); Under

Sacramento @ Brooklyn

Game 705-706
August 7, 2020 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
116.274
Brooklyn
115.612
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Sacramento
by 1
229
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Sacramento
by 4 1/2
233 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Brooklyn
(+4 1/2); Under

Orlando @ Philadelphia

Game 707-708
August 7, 2020 @ 6:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Orlando
119.034
Philadelphia
117.542
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 1 1/2
232
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
by 4 1/2
222 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(+4 1/2); Over

Washington @ New Orleans

Game 709-710
August 7, 2020 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
106.194
New Orleans
121.493
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 15 1/2
233
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 6 1/2
236
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(-6 1/2); Under

Boston @ Toronto

Game 711-712
August 7, 2020 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
116.755
Toronto
129.142
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 12 1/2
234
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 3
218 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-3); Over

**Udog** · 08-07-2020, 11:32 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, August 7

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UTAH (43 - 25) vs. SAN ANTONIO (29 - 38) - 8/7/2020, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 94-73 ATS (+13.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 27-38 ATS (-14.8 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 24-37 ATS (-16.7 Units) after scoring 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

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

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OKLAHOMA CITY (42 - 25) vs. MEMPHIS (32 - 37) - 8/7/2020, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 41-25 ATS (+13.5 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) off an upset win as an underdog this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 32-23 ATS (+6.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
MEMPHIS is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) on Friday nights this season.
MEMPHIS is 10-24 ATS (-16.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

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

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SACRAMENTO (29 - 39) vs. BROOKLYN (32 - 36) - 8/7/2020, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BROOKLYN is 48-27 ATS (+18.3 Units) against Pacific division opponents since 1996.
BROOKLYN is 38-19 ATS (+17.1 Units) in road games after a division game since 1996.
BROOKLYN is 64-49 ATS (+10.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 81-67 ATS (+7.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 43-28 ATS (+12.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

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

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ORLANDO (32 - 37) vs. PHILADELPHIA (41 - 27) - 8/7/2020, 6:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ORLANDO is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
ORLANDO is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in road games against Southeast division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-29 ATS (-11.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 7-20 ATS (-15.0 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.

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

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WASHINGTON (24 - 44) vs. NEW ORLEANS (29 - 39) - 8/7/2020, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 167-220 ATS (-75.0 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 15-27 ATS (-14.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 19-38 ATS (-22.8 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 19-37 ATS (-21.7 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 22-40 ATS (-22.0 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
NEW ORLEANS is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-1 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 3-1 straight up against NEW ORLEANS 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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BOSTON (45 - 23) vs. TORONTO (49 - 18) - 8/7/2020, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 37-28 ATS (+6.2 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 29-19 ATS (+8.1 Units) as a favorite this season.
BOSTON is 38-26 ATS (+9.4 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) after a division game this season.
BOSTON is 155-115 ATS (+28.5 Units) in road games revenging a home loss vs opponent since 1996.
BOSTON is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 100-79 ATS (+13.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 225-274 ATS (-76.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-5 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 6-5 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

**Udog** · 08-07-2020, 11:36 AM

Hoop Trends for Friday August 7
Vince Akins

ATS Play ON Trend of the Day
Matchup: Orlando at Philadelphia (6:35 p.m. ET)

-- The Magic are 9-0 ATS (8.39 ppg) after they has at least twice as many assists as turnovers.

ATS Play AGAINST Trend of the Day
Matchup: Utah at San Antonio (1:05 p.m. ET)

-- The Spurs are 0-10 ATS (-6.80 ppg) off a loss as a dog when they are not on a 5+ game losing streak.

OU Play OVER Trend of the Day
Matchup: Utah at San Antonio (1:05 p.m. ET)

-- The Spurs are 11-0-1 OU (11.33 ppg) with less than two days rest after they had fewer than 10 turnovers last game.

OU Play UNDER Trend of the Day
Matchup: Sacramento at Brooklyn (5:05 p.m. ET)

-- The Nets are 0-12 OU (-15.17 ppg) at home with less than two days rest after they scored fewer than 10 fast break points last game.

**Udog** · 08-07-2020, 11:40 AM

NBA Bubble Bets - Friday
Kevin Rogers

Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs – 1:05 PM ET
UT: 43-25 Straight-Up, 32-34-2 Against the Spread
SA: 29-38 Straight-Up, 28-38-1 Against the Spread

In spite of the fact the Jazz have split four games in the bubble, Utah has looked like one of the shakiest teams so far. The Jazz rallied past the Pelicans in the restart opener, but lost consecutive games to the Thunder and Lakers before holding off the Grizzlies on Tuesday. Utah has covered in both victories and failed to cash in each loss, while hanging onto the fourth seed in the Western Conference barely over Oklahoma City and Houston.

It will be slim pickings for the Jazz on Thursday as starters Donovan Mitchell (24.0 ppg), Rudy Gobert (15.1 ppg), and Mike Conley (14.4 ppg) are all expected to sit out, while the team continues to play without second-leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic (20.0 ppg). Utah dropped both regular season meetings with San Antonio, but the Spurs were listed as underdogs in each victory (127-120 in Texas and 113-104 in Salt Lake City).

The Spurs began the restart with back-to-back wins over the Kings and Grizzlies as an underdog before dropping a tough two-point defeat to the 76ers on Monday. San Antonio failed to cover for the first time in the bubble in Wednesday’s 132-126 setback to Denver as two-point underdogs. The Nuggets outscored the Spurs, 43-37 in the fourth quarter as San Antonio was led by Rudy Gay’s 24 points off the bench.

Dating back to December 31, the Spurs own a dreadful 1-8 ATS mark in the favorite role, which includes five outright losses. Mitchell is missing only his second game of the season as the Jazz rallied past the Wizards, 127-116 as 6 ½-point road favorites on January 12 in his first DNP (did not play) of the campaign.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 4:05 PM ET
OKC: 42-25 Straight-Up, 42-25 Against the Spread
MEM: 32-37 Straight-Up, 34-34-1 Against the Spread

The Lakers are definitely the team to beat in the Western Conference, but the Thunder may have had the recipe to slow Los Angeles down. Oklahoma City held L.A. to 35% shooting from the floor, including a 5-of-37 effort from three-point range in a 105-86 blowout of the Lakers. OKC cashed easily as 5 ½-point underdogs and improved to 18-5 ATS in the last 23 opportunities in the ‘dog role.

The next three games for the Thunder come against teams on the outside looking in for the playoffs (Memphis, Washington, and Phoenix), as OKC will likely finish somewhere between the third and sixth seed in the West. The Thunder has stepped up defensively in the bubble by allowing under 100 points in two of three games, joining the Raptors as the only other team to give up 100 points or fewer twice since the restart.

The Grizzlies entered the bubble as the eighth seed in the Western Conference at 32-33, but have free-fallen with four consecutive losses. Past the four-game skid, Memphis is also without second-leading scorer Jaren Jackson, Jr., who is done for the season with a knee injury. The Grizzlies had a strong start against the Jazz on Wednesday, but got outscored by 15 points in the second quarter and allowed 35 points in the fourth quarter of a 124-115 defeat. Memphis has failed to cover in all four bubble games, becoming the only team yet to pick up an ATS win since the restart.

The race for eighth in the West has tightened up with Memphis holding a one-game edge over Portland and a two-game advantage over Phoenix, who has gone 4-0 in the bubble. The Grizzlies and Thunder split a pair of regular season meetings in Oklahoma City, while Memphis covered each time in the underdog role.

Sacramento Kings vs. Brooklyn Nets – 5:05 PM ET
SAC: 28-39 Straight-Up, 34-31-2 Against the Spread
BKN: 32-36 Straight-Up, 33-35 Against the Spread

Four times was a charm for Sacramento in the bubble, who finally broke through the win column in Thursday’s 140-125 shootout victory over New Orleans. The Kings picked up their second straight cover, this time as four-point underdogs, highlighted by a scorching start with a 49-point first quarter outburst. Sacramento shot 54% from the floor and nailed 16 three-pointers, led by Bogdan Bogandovic’s 35 points and De’Aaron Fox’s 30 points.

The Kings may be kicking themselves for blowing Tuesday’s game against the Mavericks in overtime as Sacramento is two games behind Portland for the ninth playoff spot in the Western Conference with four games to go. Meanwhile, the Nets are inching closer towards a postseason berth in the Eastern Conference in spite of getting blown out by Boston on Wednesday night, 149-115.

Brooklyn pulled off the biggest stunner not only of the restart but of the season as 18 ½-point underdogs against Milwaukee on Tuesday in a 119-116 upset. The Nets did so without three starters, but couldn’t capitalize on that monumental triumph the next night in a 34-point loss to the Celtics as 8 ½-point underdogs. Brooklyn seeks the season sweep of Sacramento after beating the Kings at Barclays Center in November, 116-97 as short two-point favorites.

Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers – 6:35 PM ET
ORL: 32-37 Straight-Up, 33-34-2 Against the Spread
PHI: 41-27 Straight-Up, 28-36-4 Against the Spread

The Magic will likely be in the playoffs soon thanks to the Wizards not winning a game yet. Orlando leads Washington by 6 ½ games and needs at least a 4 ½ game edge to avoid a play-in series for the eighth seed in the East. Following a fast 2-0 start in the bubble, the Magic have dropped a pair of double-digit decisions to the Pacers and Raptors, who are a combined 6-1 since the restart.

Magic forward Aaron Gordon is listed as doubtful for Friday’s matchup with a hamstring injury sustained in Wednesday’s 109-99 defeat to Toronto. Orlando sunk into a 20-point halftime deficit, one night after trailing Indiana by 19 points at the half. In Orlando’s two wins, they were outscored in the second half, while in the two losses, the Magic outscored their opponents by 10 points apiece.

Philadelphia is 0-3 ATS in the bubble despite winning its last two games against San Antonio and Washington. The 76ers suffered a potentially huge blow in Wednesday’s 107-98 win over the Wizards as Ben Simmons left the game with a partially dislocated knee. Simmons is listed as day-to-day and with Philadelphia locked into a playoff spot, there probably isn’t any rush to bring the former top pick back during the reseeding round.

Orlando stifled Philadelphia in a pair of home wins this season by limiting the 76ers to 97 points in each victory. Since the start of the 2018-19 season, the Magic have covered five of the last six meetings with the Sixers, while four of the past five matchups have finished UNDER the total.

Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 8:05 PM ET
WSH: 24-44 Straight-Up, 33-33-2 Against the Spread
NO: 29-38 Straight-Up, 34-31-2 Against the Spread

The Wizards are basically the only team playing out the string in Orlando following an 0-4 start. Washington cashed as a 10 ½-point underdog in Wednesday’s 107-98 loss to Philadelphia, marking the first time the Wizards covered a game in the bubble but also the first time they were held below 100 points during the restart.

Washington is riding a three-game UNDER streak following an OVER in the opener against Phoenix, as the Wizards shot 42% from the floor and 7-of-21 from three-point range against Philadelphia. The Wizards have lost nine of their last 10 games away from D.C. dating back to late February and last won a road game in the underdog role on February 12 at New York.

The Pelicans have dropped three of four games in the bubble, including a rough defensive effort in Thursday’s 140-125 defeat to Sacramento as four-point favorites. New Orleans lost in spite of shooting 57% from the floor and hitting 14 three-pointers, but also allowed the Kings to score at least 40 points in two separate quarters.

New Orleans actually cashed its first OVER in the bubble on Thursday following three consecutive UNDERS. The Pelicans try to improve on a 1-2 ATS record in the favorite role, while owning a 5-4 SU and 7-2 ATS mark this season with no rest. New Orleans and Washington have yet to play this season, as the two teams split a pair of home matchups during the 2018-19 campaign.

Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors – 9:05 PM ET
BOS: 45-23 Straight-Up, 39-25-4 Against the Spread
TOR: 49-18 Straight-Up, 38-28-1 Against the Spread

There is a strong possibility these two Atlantic division rivals can hook up in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Toronto is pretty much locked into the second seed in the East, owning a 4 ½-game edge over Boston, who itself has a 3 ½-game advantage over Miami for the third seed.

The Raptors are showing that last year’s championship run wasn’t a fluke as Toronto has posted a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS record in the bubble, including a dominating effort in the opener against the West’s top seed Lakers. Toronto jumped out to a commanding 20-point halftime lead in Wednesday’s 109-99 victory over Orlando, led by Fred VanVleet’s 21-point, 10-assist performance to help the Raptors cover as 7 ½-point favorites.

The Celtics rebounded from an ugly loss to the short-handed Heat by routing the Nets, 149-115 as 8 ½-point favorites on Wednesday. Boston played without rest but that didn’t matter much to the Celtics, who scored 34 points or more in every quarter, while all five starters posted double-figures in points led by Jaylen Brown’s 21 points.

The two Eastern powers are playing for the fourth time this season as the Celtics captured the first two meetings in the favorite role, including a 118-102 triumph in Toronto on Christmas. The Raptors broke through with a 113-97 road victory at TD Garden on December 28 as seven-point underdogs, ending a seven-game streak in the series in which the favorite won and covered.

Announcement

Friday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 8/7

Friday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 8/7

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