Tuesday Trends and Indexes 12/25

[pm530]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everybody! Your trends crew sincerely hopes we have helped you make some winning choices this year! Here's wishing us all many more in 2008!

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Tuesday, December 25

Good Luck on day #359 of 2007!

NOTE:
As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.

NCAA FOOTBALL:
For trends & indexes for all the NCAA Bowl Games, please look for separate thread:
“2007-2008 BOWL SEASON TREND FACTORS AND INDEXES”

[pm530]

Six-pack for Tuesday

-- kenpom.com has these teams ranked 1-3 in college hoop power ratings........1) Arizona 2) Memphis 3) St Mary's

-- Charger-Bronco game was first Christmas Eve night tilt in history of the NFL. Still not sure its a great idea; I know it would have been a bad idea, if I was still married.

-- Nice of the Bulls to fire Scott Skiles on Chritsmas Eve; it couldn't have been done two days earlier, or next week?

-- All 59 points in Giant-Buffalo game were scored going in same direction, from left-to-right on TV.

-- None of the Colts' 22 starters have played for another NFL team, pretty impressive scouting by Indianapolis.

-- Chargers outscored their opponents 81-0 in first quarter of their home games this season.

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[pm530]

Tuesday's List of 13: Our NFL List of 13.............

Remember, if you're under .500, you can't be on this list.

13) Browns-- Stumbled in Cincy, now need help Sunday from Colts. Problem is, Peyton might only play a half.

12) Redskins-- Play arch-rival Cowboys, who don't need this win; in fact, they'd be smart to rest Romo's thumb- if that was to happen, former Redskin Brad Johnson will be Pokes' QB.

11) Titans-- Once used multiple onside kicks to try and upset Colts in RCA Dome. If they win, they're in; question is, does Dungy want them in?

10) Seahawks-- Still concerned by loss at Carolina, but they have won NFC, and have proven veteran performers.

9) Giants-- You don't see many NFL teams win seven in a row on the road. How will media treat Giants if they lose to Bucs?

8) Buccaneers-- Kiffin's defense vs Eli Manning. Interesting. Jon Gruden won't get much sleep for the next few days.

7) Steelers-- Don't trust their running game; looks like more physical Jaguars are coming back to Heinz.

6) Packers-- If form holds, Coach Holmgren returns to Green Bay, where he has a street named after him, and where his QB a former backup to Favre, threw an INT for TD in OT in 2003.

5) Chargers-- Wasn't impressed by Rivers' jawing at Broncos during Monday night game. On other hand, in the eight home games, Bolts outscored foes 81-0 in first quarter.

4) Cowboys-- Dallas won't play Miami until 2011, so won't be seeing any Tuna-Jerry matchups, unless they meet in summer game. Romo's thumb has to be a concern to Wade Phillips.

3) Jaguars-- Jags are 11-4 with no Pro Bowl guys, so Del Rio has to win Coach of the Year, no?

2) Colts-- January 20, Foxboro. Super Bowl 42A. Question is whether Jaguars or Chargers can ruin CBS' party.

1) Patriots-- On track to be greatest team in NFL history.

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association - Dunkel Index

NBA
Dunkel Index

Seattle at Portland
Seattle got the better of the battle between the top two draft picks with Kevin Durant averaging a healthy 19.9 ppg while Greg Oden sits out the season. But it is the Blazers who have positioned themselves as a playoff contender at 15-12, including a seven-game winning streak at home. Portland looks like a good pick to cover (-7 1/2) in this one according to Dunkel, which has the Blazers favored by 14 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Portland (-7 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25

Game 701-702: Miami at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 113.957; Cleveland 113.756
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 199 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 5; 192
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+5); Over

Game 703-704: Phoenix at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 120.106; LA Lakers 125.913
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 6; 217
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 3; 220 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (+3); Under

Game 705-706: Seattle at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 111.102; Portland 125.778
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 14 1/2; 201
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 7 1/2; 197 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-7 1/2); Over

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association – Long Sheet

NBA
Long Sheet


Tuesday, December 25

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MIAMI (8 - 19) at CLEVELAND (12 - 16) - 12/25/2007, 2:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 38-22 ATS (+13.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 22-35 ATS (-16.5 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

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

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PHOENIX (19 - 8) at LA LAKERS (17 - 10) - 12/25/2007, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in road games in December games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 28-13 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 34-21 ATS (+10.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 11-10 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 14-7 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
11 of 21 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SEATTLE (8 - 19) at PORTLAND (15 - 12) - 12/25/2007, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in home games when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 3 seasons.
PORTLAND is 7-20 ATS (-15.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
PORTLAND is 26-45 ATS (-23.5 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
PORTLAND is 31-52 ATS (-26.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 5-3 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 5-3 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association - Tips & Trends

NBA


Tuesday, December 25

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Tips and Trends
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Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers (ABC | 2:30 PM ET)

Miami has played on Christmas Day the last 3 years, beating the Lakers each time. The Heat will be trying to win consecutive games for just the 2nd time this season after a 104-102 win over Utah on Sunday. SLIGHT EDGE: HEAT
Defense has been the main problem for Cleveland this season, as the Cavs have given up at least 100 points 17 times already this season after doing so just 18 teams all of last year. "We have to play with a sense of urgency on both ends of the floor," Cleveland head coach Mike Brown said. "Defensively we're going through the motions. When we contest shots we have our hand up but it's really no true contest to make them feel us, like we have in the past. That's something we have to keep preaching." EDGE: HEAT & OVER
all Cavaliers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 home games.
The OVER is 9-2 in Miami's last 11 overall.
The OVER is 7-3 in Miami's last 10 vs. Central Division.
The UNDER is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
Get Hoops Info Worth Betting on NBA games in the Buzzer Beater!


Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers (ABC | 5 PM ET)

Phoenix has not played on Christmas Day in 11 years, while LA's Kobe Bryant has played in 9 straight Christmas games. The Lakers have lost their last 5 Christmas Day games. SLIGHT EDGE: SUNS
The Suns have won 10 of the last 13 regular-season meetings between the teams and will be looking to avenge a 119-98 loss to the Lakers in their home opener at Phoenix back on November 2nd. LA led by as many as 33 points and cruised to the early win after being eliminated by the Suns in the 1st round of the playoffs each of the last 2 years. SLIGHT EDGE: SUNS
Bryant is coming off a major milestone on Sunday, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 20,000-point plateau. He has averaged 38.7 points in his last 3 home games against the Suns, and the Lakers have also won 8 of their last 10 at Staples Center overall. EDGE: LAKERS
Lakers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Road team is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.


Seattle SuperSonics at Portland Trail Blazers (ESPN | 8 PM ET)

The Trail Blazers have won 10 straight games for the longest winning streak in the NBA this season, going 9-1 ATS. "Who would have thought Portland would do that?" Portland star Brandon Roy said. "You'd think it would be Dallas or Phoenix." Seven of the 10 wins have come at home, where they are 12-3 overall. They are averaging 104 points per game during the winning streak compared to 80.5 in losing 4 straight before that. EDGE: BLAZERS
The key to stopping Seattle is limiting rookie phenom Kevin Durant, who is averaging 24.2 points in 5 wins over the last 9 games compared to 15.8 in 4 losses during that stretch. This will be Durant's 1st career game against Portland, as this was supposed to be a matchup between he and fellow rookie Greg Oden, who is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery. SLIGHT EDGE: SONICS
The favorite is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 meetings.

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association - Gameday

NBA
Gameday


Tuesday, December 25

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NBA Gameday
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Tuesday NBA Gameday

Steve Nash will lead his Phoenix Suns into Los Angeles to take on Kobe Bryant and the rival Lakers in one of three Christmas day matchups. Here is your NBA Gameday . . .

Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers, 2:30pm ET

The Heat were expected to be back in contention by the end of December; instead they're as bad as ever, and battling the Knicks for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Dwyane Wade continues to lead the team at around 25 points-per-game, but a declining Shaquille O'Neal and disappointing supporting cast has them floundering.

Cleveland has been a big disappointment this season as well, and having LeBron James out of the lineup for a stretch of games certainly didn't help them in the standings. The Cavs have a long way to go to catch the Pistons in the Central, but with James averaging around 30 points-per-game they are always a dangerous opponent.

Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers, 5:00pm ET

Phoenix has had a hard time shaking their competition in the Pacific, but since they've been playing around .700 basketball this season they're probably not expecting their rivals to be able to keep up with them. The Suns, though, haven't been at their best in the past couple of weeks, so Nash and company will be looking to send out a message.

The Kobe Bryant soap opera was supposed to sink the Lakers, but instead they're right in the ***** of things in the Western Conference. Los Angeles already has an impressive win over the Spurs this month, and they'll be looking for another one over the Suns. And Bryant will be looking to catch and pass James for the league lead in scoring average.

Seattle SuperSonics at Portland Trail Blazers, 8:00pm ET

The SuperSonics have shown some signs of life in December, winning five of their 10 contests this month. Rookie Kevin Durant continues to lead the way for Seattle, scoring at a pace of 19.9 points-per-game. Durant scored a game-high 27 points in the Sonics' 123-115 home win over the Raptors on Friday. Wally Sczerbiak pitched in with 23 points.

The Blazers might not have Greg Oden right now, but they do have the longest winning streak in the league. Portland has won 10 games in a row heading into this Christmas matchup, which has made them a contender in the Northwest Division. The Blazers knocked off the rival Nuggets 99-96 last time out, with Brandon Roy pouring in 18 points.

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association – Hot Lines

NBA
Hot Lines


Tuesday, December 25

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Pick 'n' roll: Tuesday's best NBA bets
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Miami at Cleveland (-4 ½, 191 ½)

Never underestimate Dwyane Wade, especially on Christmas Day.

Wade has led the Heat to a 2-1 straight up (SU) record in three straight holiday tilts, including last season’s 16-point triumph over the Lakers.

The fifth-year guard, averaging 24 points this year, dropped 40 points on Los Angeles.

“Makes it great man, makes it great,” Wade told reporters after routing the Lakers. “To be playing on Christmas is great. And we can go home and continue enjoying Christmas Day knowing that you played an unbelievable game, knowing that your team played well and that you got a win.”

Miami is 4-2 ATS in its last six road games, while the Cavaliers are a meager 4-8 in their first 12 contests in Ohio.

Pick: Heat


Phoenix at L.A. Lakers (+2 ½, 220 ½)

The Lakers and Suns loathe each other.

Phoenix has eliminated the Lakers from postseason play the last two seasons. The Lakers, though, trounced the Suns on Nov. 2 in the Grand Canyon State.

The latest matchup added fuel to an already intense rivalry.

Suns coach Mike D’Antoni became irate when Lakers coach Phil Jackson called a timeout right after the Suns called one late in the fourth quarter with Phoenix trailing, 111-78.

“Yeah, I was pretty upset,” D’Antoni told reporters after the setback. “I thought he disrespected our players. But he likes to play the mind games and that’s fine. He might want to try to do it in playoff time when we bust them every year.”

Phoenix won’t have to wait for the playoffs to avenge its Nov. 2 loss to the Lakers. The Suns are a remarkable 10-3 SU in their last 13 regular season meetings against the Lakers.

Pick: Suns


Seattle at Portland (-7 ½, 197 ½)

No Greg Oden, no problem for the Blazers. Oden, selected as a freshman out of Ohio State, had microfracture surgery on his right knee in September.

Portland, though, is the hottest team in the NBA. It has won 10 straight and are a remarkable 9-1 ATS in that stretch.

“Who would have thought Portland would do that?” Blazers leading scorer Brandon Roy told reporters. “You’d think it would be Dallas or Phoenix.”

Roy, last season’s Rookie of the Year, has led the Blazers in scoring during the streak, averaging 23 points. He is leading Portland in assists (5.6) and steals (1.0).

“We’re a young team but we're growing up,” Roy continued. “We’re maturing a lot during this win streak. “If you watched [last Friday’s win over Denver] it wasn't just a young team that’s hot. We had to work for this and face adversity, but we came through.”

Seattle, meanwhile, is 2-6 SU in its last eight outside the Rainy City.

Pick: Trail Blazers

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association – Matchup Notes

NBA
Betting Matchup Notes


Tuesday, December 25

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Today's key NBA betting matchup notes
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Tuesday's key NBA matchup notes

Miami at Cleveland (- 4 ½, 191 ½)

The Heat have played on Christmas each of the last three years, beating the Los Angeles Lakers each time.


Phoenix at L.A. Lakers (+2 ½, 220 ½)

The Suns and Lakers have not met since Los Angeles won 119-98 in Phoenix's home opener on Nov. 2.


Seattle at Portland (-7 ½, 197 ½)

Portland will be trying for its 11th straight victory when it hosts Kevin Durant and the Seattle SuperSonics on Christmas Day.

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[Kaptain]

12/24/07
07:06 PM Injuries
NBA
Lakers C Kwame Brown (5 ppg; knee) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game.

12/24/07
07:05 PM Injuries
NBA
Sonics G Delonte West (8 ppg; foot) is listed as probable for Tuesday's game.


12/24/07
07:03 PM Injuries
NBA
Suns G Raja Bell (12 ppg; ankle) is listed as probable for Tuesday's game.

[Udog]

NBA
Write-Up


Tuesday, December 25

Hot Teams
-- Lakers won eight of their last ten games.
-- Trailblazers won, covered their last ten games. Sonics are 6-3 in their last nine games.

Cold Teams
-- Miami covered one of last six games (2-4 SU). Cavaliers lost ten of their last twelve games.
-- Suns are 2-4-1 vs spread in last seven games.

Previous meetings this season
-- Lakers (+10) won 119-98 at Phoenix back on Nov 2.

Totals
-- Nine of last eleven Miami games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Phoenix games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Portland games stayed under the total.

[Kaptain]

u dog/pm530

I want to take this opporunity to tell you guys thanks for a whole years worth of input/effort, on some damn good info.....I, for one, and I know the rest agree, it's appreciated....

Sharing/teamwork is what we're all about here, and you guys portray it as well as anyone....

Happy Holidays to both of you, and once again, THANKS

[Udog]

Sharing/teamwork is what we're all about here

Yessir, Kaptain! That's what I love about this place! I hope you had a terrific Christmas! Happy New Year!