Friday Trends and Indexes 01/05

[Udog]

Good morning, pm! Good luck tonight!

[pm530]

...and good luck to u2 -- Udog!

[pm530]

Dunkel Index - Pro Basketball

NBA
Dunkel



FRIDAY, JANUARY 5

Dallas at San Antonio
It's hard to find many underdogs who have won 12 straight games, but that's the situation tonight as Dallas travels to San Antonio. Dallas matched its season-high winning streak with a 100-91 comeback win over Indiana last night. Even with Dirk Nowitzki (20 points) not at his best because of a sinus problem, Josh Howard (25 points) and Devin Harris (career-high 24 points) filled the void. San Antonio has looked sluggish of late, losing three of its last five, including a 103-101 overtime loss to the T'wolves on Wednesday. The two teams split the first two games of the series with the visitor winning both times by a total of nine points. Dallas again looks like a dangerous visitor here and should take advantage of the Vegas line (+5) according to Dunkel, which has San Antonio favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+5). Here are all of today's games.

Game 701-702: Charlotte at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 116.042; Orlando 122.423
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 6 1/2; 191 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 9; 185
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+9); Over

Game 703-704: Atlanta at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 108.841; Toronto 119.603
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 11; 193 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 6 1/2; 199 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-6 1/2); Under

Game 705-706: LA Clippers at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 118.368; Washington 126.368
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 8; 213 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 5 1/2; 213 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-5 1/2); Neutral

Game 707-708: Chicago at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 123.605; New Jersey 120.890
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 194 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey by 1 1/2; 192 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+1 1/2); Over

Game 709-710: Philadelphia at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 114.723; Minnesota 124.571
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 10; 195 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 7; 187
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-7); Over

Game 711-712: Boston at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 112.323; Memphis 119.542
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 7; 224 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 6 1/2; 214
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-6 1/2); Over

Game 713-714: Dallas at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 127.762; San Antonio 128.813
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 1; 185 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 5; 186 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+5); Under

Game 715-716: Utah at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 118.372; Houston 127.542
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 9; 193
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 2; 185
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-2); Over

Game 717-718: Cleveland at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 119.896; Milwaukee 127.613
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 7 1/2; 217
Vegas Line & Total: Milwaukee by 4; 205 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-4); Over

Game 719-720: New York at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: New York 115.041; Seattle 117.192
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 2; 189
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 5 1/2; 197 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (+5 1/2); Under

Game 721-722: Miami at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 111.969; Phoenix 131.460
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 19 1/2; 214 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 18; 202 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-18); Over

Game 723-724: Denver at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 116.427; LA Lakers 124.713
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 8 1/2; 214
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 4 1/2; 212 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-4 1/2); Over

[pm530]

Dunkel Index - Hockey

NHL
Dunkel



FRIDAY, JANUARY 5

Phoenix at Atlanta
The Coyotes come into this contest riding a four-game winning streak, including the first two of their current road trip against Carolina and Washington. Last night Phoenix rallied behind goalie Curtis Joseph's second shutout (2-0) in as many starts as the 40-year-old vet hasn't allowed a goal in 140 minutes. Joseph has also won his last four starts against the Thrashers, making Phoenix a solid underdog pick in this one according to Dunkel, which has the Coyotes favored straight up by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+1 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

Game 51-52: Phoenix at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 12.777; Atlanta 12.343
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+1 1/2); Under

Game 53-54: Pittsburgh at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.727; Buffalo 13.892
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-1 1/2); Under

Game 55-56: Nashville at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 12.883; Chicago 12.683
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+1 1/2); Over

Game 57-58: Tampa Bay at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 12.101; Colorado 12.838
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado by 1 1/2; 6
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+1 1/2); Over

Game 59-60: Columbus at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.298; Anaheim 13.138
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim by 1 1/2; 6
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-1 1/2); Under

Game 61-62: Edmonton at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 11.182; Vancouver 13.103
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 5
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-1 1/2); Under

[pm530]

NBA
Short Sheet

Friday, January 5th

Charlotte at Orlando, 7:05 EST
Charlotte: 8-2 ATS playing with 3+ days rest
Orlando: 6-0 Under off BB ATS wins

Atlanta at Toronto, 7:05 EST
Atlanta: 8-0 Over off 3+ Unders
Toronto: 7-22 ATS off a home loss

LA Clippers at Washington, 7:05 EST
LA Clippers: 1-10 ATS as an underdog
Washington: 14-3 Over off a SU win

Chicago at New Jersey, 7:35 EST
Chicago: 0-7 ATS Away off an Under
New Jersey: 10-2 Under off an Over

Philadelphia at Minnesota, 8:05 EST
Philadelphia: 11-3 ATS Away off a SU loss
Minnesota: 1-7 ATS at home vs. Philadelphia

Boston at Memphis, 8:05 EST
Boston: 23-9 Over Away if total is 210 or higher
Memphis: 8-0 Over off 3+ Overs

Dallas at San Antonio, 8:05 EST ESPN
Dallas: 31-13 ATS as an underdog
San Antonio: 3-12 ATS at home vs. division teams

Utah at Houston, 8:35 EST
Utah: 18-5 ATS off BB ATS losses
Houston: 0-8 ATS as a home favorite of 3 points or less

Cleveland at Milwaukee, 8:35 EST
Cleveland: 0-7 ATS after scoring 105+ points
Milwaukee: 30-12 ATS after allowing 105+ points

New York at Seattle, 10:35 EST
New York: 8-23 ATS off a DD win as a road underdog
Seattle: 9-1 ATS after having lost 3 of their last 4 games

Miami at Phoenix, 10:35 EST ESPN
Miami: 5-15 ATS revenging a DD loss
Phoenix: 7-0 Under off BB non-conference games

Denver at LA Lakers, 10:35 EST
Denver: 4-14 ATS off BB Unders
LA Lakers: 15-5 Over off an ATS win

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[pm530]

NCAAB
Short Sheet

Friday, January 5th

St. Peter's at Canisius, 7:00 EST
St. Peter's: 22-10 ATS away after losing 4 or 5 of their last 6 games
Canisius: 3-13 ATS at home off a conference loss by 10+ points

Rider at Marist, 7:00 EST ESPNU
Rider: 0-7 ATS off BB Unders
Marist: 6-0 ATS off ATS losses in 3 of their last 4 games

Siena at Niagara, 7:00 EST
Siena: 14-3 ATS after playing as an underdog
Niagara: 0-9 ATS off 3+ wins

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[pm530]

NHL
Short Sheet

Friday, January 5

Phoenix at Atlanta, 7:35 EST
Phoenix: 18-9 SU Away off a shutout win
Atlanta: 2-6 SU at home off a loss

Pittsburgh at Buffalo, 8:05 EST
Pittsburgh: 0-5 SU vs. Buffalo
Buffalo: 10-1 SU off a loss

Nashville at Chicago, 8:35 EST
Nashville: 6-20 SU Away off a loss
Chicago: 7-0 SU at home off 3+ road games

Tampa Bay at Colorado, 9:05 EST
Tampa Bay: 7-0 Over Away playing their 4th game in 7 days
Colorado: 4-8 SU at home if total is 6 or higher

Columbus at Anaheim, 10:05 EST
Columbus: 13-62 Away after having lost 2 of their last 3 games
Anaheim: 19-9 Over Away if 3 or fewer total goals were scored last game

Edmonton at Vancouver, 10:05 EST
Edmonton: 12-5 Under when playing with revenge
Vancouver: 6-0 Under at home after allowing 2 goals or less BB games

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

Six-Pack for Friday

The six head coaches in Miami Dolphin history

GeorgeWilson (15-39-2 from 1966-69). His son was one of the Dolphins' original QBs. Like most coaches of expansion teams, things didn't go well.

Don Shula (274-147-2 from 1970-95). One of the greatest coaches of alltime. His son Mike just got fired, and is being replaced at Alabama by the last name on this list.

Jimmy Johnson (38-31 from 1996-99). More interested in stock market than coaching, by this time in his career.

Dave Wannstedt (43-33 from 2000-04). Considering how bad his last year was, that record is pretty good.

Jim Bates (3-4, last half of 2004). Once head coach of the San Antonio Gunslingers in the USFL; he may be the next permanent coach of this franchise. A defensive guy.

Nick Saban (15-17 from 2005-06). Heart was still in college except on payday. Is one more new job away from being named the Larry Brown of football.

[Udog]

Friday's List of 13:

Nobody asked me, but.................

13) Florida State isn't kidding around about upgrading for the 2007 football season; they signed away West Virginia's line coach, who was also one of their main recruiters. Next up on Bobby Bowden's wish list is Jimbo Fisher, OC at LSU.

12) It isn't often that halftime scores stop you in your tracks, but Virginia 60, Gonzaga 26 did just that.

11) Pitt 74, Syracuse 66. Orange are headed towards being a bubble team in March; home losses to Wichita, Drexel aren't going to be much help then.

10) Oregon got caught looking ahead to their UCLA game on Saturday, when Tim Floyd's Trojans grabbed an 84-82 upset win at Mac Court. Floyd is a superior college coach.

9) Ron Artest funded a shopping spree for 25 kids over the holidays at a toy store. I just wish our media would report bit more of this kind of story, to balance out the negative stuff they love to talk/write about.

8) Wright State already has five wins this season by either 1 or 2 points.

7) Saw something I never saw before, when Missouri started game on 13-0 run, then saw Mississippi State score next 13 to tie game 13-all. Just thought you'd like to know.

6) Tony Barone has turned Memphis into a free-wheeling, fun kind of team; they won 144-135 Wednesday, in regulation.

5) Southern Illinois is awful good; they won 59-54 at Drake, a place where Iowa lost by 18. Salukis occasionally struggle on offense, but they're a terrific defensive team.

4) Creighton is now 0-5 on the road. Not good.

3) UL-Monroe used to win the Southland Conference a lot; in their first season in Sun Belt, they're off to 4-0 start, and in a down year in that league, they could challenge Western Ky for league supremacy in March.

2) I'd like to hear Bill Cowher on TV for a year, if he chooses to leave the Steelers. Always prefer listening to ex-coaches than ex-players. At age 49, inconceivable that Cowher isn't going to coach again, but he is under contract for '07..

1) This will never happen, because money talks loudest of all, but Notre Dame might win one or two bowls a decade if they played in a league. Pressurized games make a team better.

[vinnyvegas]

Friday CBB info:

St. Peter's - Starting forward Todd Sowell, key reserve forward Quentin Martin, and key reserve forward Michael Gore all missed last game due to suspension and remain questionable Friday.

Canisus - Starting guard and leading scorer Chuck Harris (knee) missed last game and is expected to miss 1-2 weeks.

Niagara - Starting guard Tyrone Lewis (knee) has missed last six games and remains out indefinitely.