Announcement

**Udog** · 08-10-2020, 08:56 AM

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

Odds to make the NFL playoffs this fall:
— Jaguars yes +900, no -1600
— Chiefs yes -1000, no +650
— Bengals yes +550, no -800
— Browns yes -120, no -140
— Saints yes -330, no +270
— Giants yes +330, no -400

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Armadillo: Monday's Den: Wrapping up a sports weekend……..

13) Sounds like college presidents/AD’s are going to pull the plug on fall sports this week; if they do that, and the NFL goes ahead and plays, would the NFL move games to Saturday nights to further their TV exposure?

12) Golden State’s Draymond Green got a $50,000 fine from the NBA for saying on TNT that Devin Booker should leave the Phoenix Suns- that’s called tampering.

11) Some courageous soul in Las Vegas wagered $600 this week on the Washington Redskins to win the Super Bowl, at 300-1 odds.

10) This week at the PGA, Rory McIlroy was 10-over par on holes 12-14; he was 12-under par on the other fifteen holes.

9) Major league teams have been getting quality starts from their pitcher (6+ IP, 3 or fewer runs allowed) 28% of the time; Sunday in LA was the first time in 17 games the Giants got a quality start, from Kevin Gausman.

8) Reds’ P Sonny Gray has allowed six or fewer hits in 37 consecutive starts, which is apparently a major league record, if you don’t count short starts as an opener.

7) Indians’ pitcher Zach Plesac threw six shutout innings against the White Sox Saturday, then went out with friends in Chicago after the game. Uh-oh. Not good.

Thats frowned upon in today’s pandemic world; the Indians sent Plesac home in a rental car Sunday.

6) Cleveland 1B Carlos Santana was only 3-16 this week, but he also walked 15 times; his on-base %age for the week was .581, pretty impressive.

Baseball leaders so far this season:
5) Total bases:
51— Fernando Tatis Jr, SD
43— Aaron Judge, NYY
42— Nicholas Castellanos, Cin
41— Charlie Blackmon, Colo
39— Mike Yastzremski, SF

4) Runs batted in:
19— Judge, NYY
18— Blackmon, Tatis Jr
16— Castellanos, Nelson Cruz
14— Kyle Seager, Solano
13— Olson, Swanson, Urshela

3) Runs scored:
15— Freeman, Merrifield, Tatis
14— Judge, Story, Swanson, Yastzremski
13— Blackmon, Castellanos, JP Crawford, Nunez
12— Acuna, Jose Ramirez

2) OPS (on-base% + slugging %age)
1.226— Fernando Tatis Jr, SD
1.187— Charlie Blackmon, Colo
1.139— JaCoby Jones, Det
1.113— Mike Yastzremski, SF
1.111— Donovan Solano, SF

1) If the baseball playoffs started today (they don’t):
AL East- New York, TB/Balt
AL Central- Minnesota, Detroit
AL West Oakland, Texas
AL Wild Cards- Cleveland, Balt/TB
NL East- Miami, Atlanta
NL Central- Chicago, Milwaukee
NL West- Colorado, Los Angeles
NL Wild Cards- San Diego, Reds/Mets

**Udog** · 08-10-2020, 08:58 AM

NBA line movement for August 10
Patrick Everson

Kyle Lowry and the Raptors are 4-1 SU and ATS inside the NBA Bubble in Orlando, heading into a Monday clash against the Bucks. FanDuel Sportsbook has Milwaukee a 5.5-point favorite.

NBA betting odds are on the board and drawing dollars for Monday’s five-game slate. Among the highlights in the NBA Bubble is a matchup between the Bucks and Raptors, the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, though both are locked in and don’t have much to play for.

Multiple oddsmakers provided insights on NBA opening lines and early line movement, sharp money and public betting for Monday’s matchups.

NBA line movement

Toronto is among the hottest teams in the NBA Bubble, and in fact, the Raptors picked up where they left off pre-shutdown in March. Kyle Lowry and Co. are 4-1 SU and ATS in Orlando, after winning their last four SU back in March. Milwaukee has been a little back-and-forth in the bubble at 2-3 SU and ATS heading into this 6:30 p.m. ET clash.

FanDuel Sportsbook pegged the Bucks a 5.5-point favorite Sunday night, and there was no line movement.

Luka Doncic is catching a lot of eyes in the NBA Bubble, particularly for his 36-point effort in the Mavericks’ last outing, a 136-132 overtime victory Saturday against the aforementioned Bucks. However, Doncic will rest for this 3 p.m. ET tip, and most books don’t have the Mavs-Jazz line on the board yet.

In Monday’s 9 p.m. ET nightcap, the Lakers take on the Nuggets. Los Angeles, which has the West’s No. 1 seed wrapped up, opened a 4.5-point favorite at The SuperBook at Westgate and stretched to -5.5 Sunday night.

**Udog** · 08-10-2020, 09:02 AM

737OKLAHOMA CITY -738 PHOENIX
PHOENIX is 9-0 ATS (9 Units) in road games after having won 4 or 5 of their last 6 games over the last 2 seasons.

739DALLAS -740 UTAH
UTAH is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) after failing to cover 6 or 7 of their last 8 against the spread in the current season.

741TORONTO -742 MILWAUKEE
MILWAUKEE is 34-14 ATS (18.6 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite in the last 3 seasons.

743INDIANA -744 MIAMI
INDIANA is 11-2 ATS (8.8 Units) in road games versus good ball handling teams - committing <=14 turnovers/game in the current season.

745DENVER -746 LA LAKERS
LA LAKERS are 14-5 ATS (8.5 Units) in road games versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game in the current season.

NBA

Monday, August 10

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Trend Report
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Oklahoma City @ Phoenix
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix
Phoenix is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Dallas @ Utah
Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Dallas's last 12 games when playing Utah
Utah
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
Utah is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Dallas

Toronto @ Milwaukee
Toronto
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games at home
Milwaukee is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home

Indiana @ Miami
Indiana
Indiana is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
Indiana is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami
Miami
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Miami's last 9 games when playing Indiana

Denver @ LA Lakers
Denver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games
Denver is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Lakers's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Lakers's last 9 games

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**Udog** · 08-10-2020, 11:43 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Monday, August 10

Oklahoma City @ Phoenix

Game 737-738
August 10, 2020 @ 2:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
113.921
Phoenix
126.089
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 12
216
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 5
224 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(-5); Under

Dallas @ Utah

Game 739-740
August 10, 2020 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
119.879
Utah
115.251
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Dallas
by 4 1/2
241
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Utah
by 7 1/2
225 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(+7 1/2); Over

Toronto @ Milwaukee

Game 741-742
August 10, 2020 @ 6:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
116.647
Milwaukee
125.192
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 8 1/2
214
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
by 5 1/2
226 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(-5 1/2); Under

Indiana @ Miami

Game 743-744
August 10, 2020 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
120.041
Miami
116.544
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 3 1/2
224
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
by 2 1/2
220
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(+2 1/2); Over

Denver @ LA Lakers

Game 745-746
August 10, 2020 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Denver
117.456
LA Lakers
116.341
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Denver
by 1
239
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Lakers
by 5
221
Dunkel Pick:
Denver
(+5); Over

NBA
Long Sheet

Monday, August 10

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OKLAHOMA CITY (43 - 26) vs. PHOENIX (31 - 39) - 8/10/2020, 2:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent this season.
PHOENIX is 28-19 ATS (+7.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
PHOENIX is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games after scoring 115 points or more this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 42-26 ATS (+13.4 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 37-25 ATS (+9.5 Units) after scoring 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 33-24 ATS (+6.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
PHOENIX is 54-69 ATS (-21.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 31-48 ATS (-21.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-1 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DALLAS (42 - 30) vs. UTAH (43 - 27) - 8/10/2020, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 95-74 ATS (+13.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 85-67 ATS (+11.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 89-63 ATS (+19.7 Units) in road games against Northwest division opponents since 1996.
DALLAS is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 230-182 ATS (+29.8 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
DALLAS is 35-19 ATS (+14.1 Units) after allowing 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 77-50 ATS (+22.0 Units) in road games after scoring 115 points or more since 1996.
DALLAS is 70-50 ATS (+15.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 32-23 ATS (+6.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 69-54 ATS (+9.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 6-3 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 8-1 straight up against DALLAS 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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TORONTO (50 - 19) vs. MILWAUKEE (55 - 15) - 8/10/2020, 6:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 225-275 ATS (-77.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 94-69 ATS (+18.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 83-61 ATS (+15.9 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 147-110 ATS (+26.0 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 31-18 ATS (+11.2 Units) after allowing 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 75-55 ATS (+14.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 73-54 ATS (+13.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 38-29 ATS (+6.1 Units) in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 223-270 ATS (-74.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 9-6 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 8-7 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA (43 - 27) vs. MIAMI (43 - 27) - 8/10/2020, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 7-2 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 5-4 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DENVER (46 - 24) vs. LA LAKERS (51 - 18) - 8/10/2020, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 22-34 ATS (-15.4 Units) after scoring 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

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

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**Udog** · 08-10-2020, 11:49 AM

NBA Bubble Bets - Monday
Tony Mejia

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns

Time/Venue: 2:35 p.m, HP Field House
Records/Bubble Records (SU/ATS): Thunder 43-26/3-2 (43-26, 3-2); Suns 31-39/5-0 (34-35-1, 5-0)
Line: PHX -5/225, PHX ML -205, OKC +172

Line Analysis: The Thunder cruised past Washington on Sunday afternoon and find themselves working 24 hours later for the second of a back-to-back. Although the more rested Suns are undefeated in seeding games, it was still a surprise to see Oklahoma City as a five-point underdog after opening at plus-3.5/4. It remains to be seen whether Billy Donovan chooses to be cautious with veterans Chris Paul and Danilo Gallinari but his team is only a half-game up on Utah for the No. 5 seed. How Donovan treats this game may provide a hint as to whether the Thunder prefer the Nuggets or Rockets in a first-round series.

Phoenix hasn’t beaten a Paul-led team since December 2013, which is quite the run of futility. The Suns have defeated the Wizards and Heat as a favorite in Orlando, covering the spread in both. They’ve been a slight underdog in both matchups with OKC this season and are 0-2.

Injuries/Rotational Adjustments to Watch: Learning whether Paul will be available is crucial since super sub Dennis Schroder remains away from the team on paternity leave, although he’s expected back for the start of the playoffs next week. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would likely handle the bulk of the ballhandling duties if Paul is out. Centers Steven Adams (leg contusion) and Nerlens Noel (ankle soreness) were late scratches on Sunday but could be counted on here. Defensive wiz Andre Roberson (foot soreness) should be available. The Suns have been working without starting small forward Kelly Oubre and backup center Aron Baynes in the rotation and neither is likely to participate here.

Handicapping Notes: The Thunder bounced back against the Wizards after scoring just 92 points in becoming the only team to lose to the eighth-seeded Grizzlies thus far. They’ve posted lopsided wins over the Jazz and Lakers and have been fantastic when veterans Paul, Adams and Danilo Gallinari are out on the floor. OKC closes against the Heat and Clippers, with that last game against L.A. potentially rendered meaningless.

The Suns need every win they can get their hands on since their perfect run has only made what once looked seemingly impossible – making the playoffs – a potential reality. Phoenix remains behind Memphis, Portland and San Antonio in the West and closes against injury-riddled Philadelphia and Dallas. The Suns averaged 106.5 points in this season’s losses to OKC but are averaging 118.4 points in seeding games.

Nothin’ But Bet: Rookie Cam Johnson came through on Saturday night in a prop that called for him to surpass the 12.5 points. He’s averaging 15.6 points over five games in the bubble, scoring in double-figures in four of the five contests. We’ll ride his hot hand again on the over 12.5 points expected from him at FanDuel (+100).

Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz

Time/Venue: 3:05 p.m. ET, ESPN Wide World of Sports Arena
Records/Bubble Records (SU/ATS): Mavs 42-30/2-3 (36-33-3, 1-4); Jazz 43-27/2-4 (33-35-2, 3-3)
Line: UTA -6.5/***, UTA -270 ML, DAL +220

Line Analysis: The Jazz and Mavs might have been close to a pick’em by the time they tipped off if not for Rick Carlisle’s announcement that stars Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis would sit this one out, joined by scrappy forward Dorian Finney-Smith. They’ve all played significant minutes over the past few weeks and need the rest with a second game of a back-to-back on tap against Phoenix on Tuesday. The Jazz will need to take care of business here and in their finale against the Spurs on Thursday in order to have a shot at the No. 5 seed in the West.

Injuries/Rotational Adjustments to Watch: With Doncic, Porzingis and Finney-Smith out, shooters Tim Hardaway Jr. and Seth Curry will likely become the focal point of the offense. Boban Marjanovic and Maxi Kleber could see the bulk of the minutes up front against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz.

Donovan Mitchell was a game-time decision due to peroneal strain on Saturday and struggled before finding his rhythm late in regulation to force a pair overtime periods that he excelled in. Backup point guard Emmanuel Mudiay sat with left knee soreness, while starting forward Royce O’Neal played through calf soreness. All hands are expected to be on deck for Utah.

Handicapping Notes: The Jazz pushed San Antonio for 48 minutes despite playing only Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson among guys in the top-seven of Quin Snyder’s rotation, so they’re aware of what can happen when you overlook a team of pros. Utah beat Dallas on Jan. 25 and Feb. 10. The ‘over’ has connected in four straight games involving Utah.

Nothin’ But Bet: From the “somebody has to rebound” for Dallas department, we expect a big game from Kleber, who typically plays whatever role he’s asked to on the floor by Carlisle, be it setting screens for Doncic or being tasked with guarding much bigger forwards in the paint. He’ll get a little shine today and surpass the 8.5 rebounds they have set for him at FanDuel (+100).

Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Time/Venue: 6:35 p.m. ET, HP Field House
Records/Bubble Records (SU/ATS): Raptors 50-19/4-1 (39-29-1, 4-1); Bucks 55-16/2-3 (38-32, 2-3)
Line: MIL -5.5/*** MIL -235 ML, TOR +194

Line Analysis: This number is a little lower than I expected it would be considering the Raptors are playing the second of a back-to-back and suiting up for a third time in four days. I’d hop on the Bucks once there’s clarity that Mike Budenholzer isn’t giving anyone the day off because Raps head coach Nick Nurse may go that route with Toronto having wrapped up the No. 2 seed in the East.

Injuries/Rotational Adjustments to Watch: Brook Lopez comes off a brilliant game against Dallas in the OT loss on Saturday night and took the game over for stretches. Sharpening his tenacity could be a focal point this week, as is continuing to get Eric Bledsoe comfortable after he joined the team late due to COVID-19. He still doesn’t look like he’s found a rhythm.

Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet have terrorized opposing backcourts all season and have done so even more resoundingly in the bubble, but we’ll see if one or both get a break here. Pascal Siakam’s rebounding has been way down of late but his perimeter shooting helped foil a Grizzlies’ comeback bid on Sunday, picking up a cover.

Handicapping Notes: With their next loss in Orlando, the Bucks will have dropped as many games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports than they did all season at home inside Fiserv Forum. Defense has been an issue and rotations are a bit off due to guys being out of the lineup, so it will be interesting to see whether Budenholzer looks to build up his team’s confidence this week or takes his foot off the gas completely since Milwaukee will be heavily favored against Orlando, its likely first-round opponent.

Nothin’ But Bet: Backing the Bucks to win by 11 or more points at FanDuel pays out at +185. Given the likelihood that multiple Raptors are given the night off, I’d take a shot at this before the numbers are altered.

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat

Time/Venue: 6:05 p.m. ET, HP Field House
Records/Bubble Records (SU/ATS): Pacers 43-27/4-1 (38-29-3, 4-1); Heat 43-27/2-3 (35-33-2, 2-3)
Line: MIA -2.5/*** MIA -138 ML, IND +118

Line Analysis: Miami has been without its leader, Jimmy Butler, for the past few games but he’s expected back for his duel with T.J. Warren here, landing the Heat back in a favorite’s role after they closed as an underdog against Phoenix for Saturday’s loss. The Pacers are a perfect 3-0 SU and ATS in an underdog role in Orlando.

Indiana lost both regular-season meetings against Miami, doing so as a 1-point favorite at home in the most recent matchup (Jan. 8) after a memorable 113-112 result in South Florida on Dec. 27. These teams will play one another twice this week, squaring off on Thursday too. It remains to be seen whether there’s anything to play for that night but it would appear all systems are go for all hands to be on deck here, setting this up as the game of the night.

Injuries/Rotational Adjustments to Watch: While Warren is listed as questionable with a foot injury, he carried that designation on Saturday before suiting up to torch the Lakers in an upset win. Even if he’s not 100 percent, sitting this one out would be perceived as ducking the matchup with Butler, who has seemingly been getting himself healthy in missing the past few games just to ensure he’d be fine for this one.

With Domantas Sabonis out due to plantar fasciitis, the Pacers have become dependent on Warren as the go-to guy while employing three guards and center Myles Turner around him.

The Heat lost on Saturday night despite a huge game from rookie guard Tyler Herro, who did his best in helping replace the production of guard Goran Dragic (ankle), who is also likely to return this evening. Fellow rookie Kendrick Nunn is isolating after leaving the bubble on Friday and is listed as “self-quarantining.”

Handicapping Notes: Malcolm Brogdon has had some health issues over the past few weeks, from battling COVID-19 to being scratched before the bubble opener due to a neck issue, but he’s looked increasingly like his usual self over the past few games and will be the x-factor here given Miami’s issues defending opposing guards.

Victor Oladipo has looked spry but isn’t 100 percent, so anything he can give Indiana here, even as a decoy, has to be looked at as a plus. Miami’s Bam Adebayo can probably be more aggressive on the defensive end without Sabonis to worry about and should be able to avoid foul trouble as a result. If this one’s close down the stretch, it will indeed come down to Warren vs. Butler. The Heat star is an elite defender who has studied Warren’s game to ensure he slows him down after the two got into it earlier this season.

Warren, the bubble’s MVP by a resounding margin based on his play to date, is averaging 34.8 points in Orlando, a figure weighed down by scoring just 16 points against the Suns in the game in which he hurt his foot. He’s clearly also been working on his game, setting this up as must-see TV. Unfortunately, this game is only available via League Pass.

Nothin’ But Bet: Oladipo comes off a 22-point game against the Lakers where he also produced five assists, his high for the bubble. He played 35 minutes but committed six turnovers and may take a backseat against a tougher Miami defense. Ride the under on his points prop at FanDuel (17.5 -122).

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Time/Venue: 9:05 p.m. ET, ESPN Wide World of Sports Arena
Records/Bubble Records (SU/ATS): 46-24/3-2 (32-34-4, 3-2); Lakers 51-18/2-4 (36-32-1, 1-5)
Line: LAL -5.5/221, LAL ML -225, DEN +188

Line Analysis: The Lakers are laying a larger number than I expected them to considering the Nuggets got point guard Jamal Murray back for Saturday’s OT win over Utah in which his scoring and the threat he presents on the floor made a major difference.

The total is in the neighborhood of where I had it, a bucket lower than the 223 I projected. The ‘under’ is 4-2 in Lakers games in Orlando. If this figure closes where it is, it will represent the most points L.A. has been favored by against Denver all season, coming off a 120-116 win in Denver just before the All-Star break on Feb. 12 that gave it a 2-1 series edge entering this fourth and final regular-season matchup.

Injuries/Rotational Adjustments to Watch: Since the Lakers don’t play again until Thursday’s matchup with Sacramento, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are expected to participate in one final playoff-like tune-up prior to opening the playoffs as the Western Conference’s top seed next week.

Lawrence Frank will have to replace starting guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury, and potentially Danny Green, who missed Saturday’s night’s loss with a hip injury. Since Avery Bradley opted out and Rajon Rondo won’t be ready for at least another week, the Lakers are depleted at guard. Denver got Murray back but is still going to be without starts Will Barton (knee) and Gary Harris (hip), who have yet to play in the bubble. As a result, Michael Porter Jr., Torrey Craig and Jerami Grant will continue getting more touches and extended minutes.

Handicapping Notes: James shot just 18.5 percent from 3-point range in two regular-season wins over the Nuggets but still averaged 28.5 points and 11.5 assists. Count on him attempting to get his shot back on track here after struggling from the perimeter in losses to the Thunder and Pacers last week. Anthony Davis scored just eight points on Saturday in a brutal shooting game and has looked bothered by an ankle injury. Following a 42-point outburst last Monday night in a win over the Jazz, Davis has averaged just 11.3 points per game and has put together a pair of sub-30 percent shooting performances.

Beyond continuing to get Murray back up to speed following a hamstring issue, the Nuggets hope to keep Porter Jr. from deferring since he’s emerged as a major part of their rotation. He scored just a bucket in five minutes of action against the Lakers this season but is averaging 29.3 points and 12.5 rebounds over the last four games in a breaking out as a focal point of the offense. The ‘over’ is 5-0 in Denver’s seeding games.

Nothin’ But Bet: Without a top defender to try and keep him from getting a rhythm, look for Murray to pick up where he left off against Utah considering he did the bulk of his damage in the second half and OT, finishing with 23 points, 12 boards and eight assists in his first game in nearly five months. Ride the ‘over’ on his points-rebounds-assists prop at FanDuel (28.5, -122).

Announcement

Monday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 8/10

Monday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 8/10

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