Friday Trends and Indexes 12/26 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes

Friday, December 26

Good Luck on day #361 of 2008!

For College Football and the NFL, look for separate threads:

• “NCAAF Bowl Season Trends and Indexes 12/20 through 1/8”
• “NFL Week 17 Trends and Indexes 12/28”

For now, the balance of the sports menu in this thread will consist of the NBA, College Basketball, and the NHL until their seasons are played out. Also, general sports news and notes will still be posted here.

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.
Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the posting member or BettorsChat.
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[pm530]

Daily Sports Roundup

Friday, December 26

The college football bowl schedule resumes on Friday night, while the NBA and NHL both start off the weekend with full slates. Here's your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

After a couple of days off college football goes bowling again on Friday night with Florida Atlantic taking on Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl. The Owls were 6-6 straight-up on the season, and a little better at 7-5 against-the-spread. As well, Florida Atlantic has won four of their last five games heading into this bowl.

The Chippewas enter this matchup on a two-game losing streak, dropping their last two games to Ball State and Eastern Michigan. Those results put Central Michigan at 8-4 SU and 6-5 ATS on the season. Prior to those consecutive losses the Chippewas had been on a pretty big roll, winning six games in a row.

Oddsmakers like the Chippewas in this contest, as they're pegged as 7-point favorites with a total of 67 points for the matchup. Central Michigan went 6-5 on the OVER/UNDER this year, while Florida Atlantic wound up with a 4-8 OU mark.

Other Notable Events

The Celtics follow up their Christmas Day clash with the Lakers with a Friday night contest in Golden State. The Warriors have lost two games in a row and seven of their past 10 outings to see their season record fade to a miserable 8-22.

There are nine other games on the NBA's schedule for Friday night, including a marquee Western matchup between the Mavericks and Jazz in Utah. As well, it's Chicago at Miami, Charlotte at New Jersey, Minnesota at New York, Houston at New Orleans, Oklahoma City at Detroit, Indiana at Memphis, and Philadelphia at Denver, while Toronto will continue their western trip with a game in Sacramento.

The Rest of the Schedule

The National Hockey League returns with nine games on Friday night, including Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on the road against the New Jersey Devils. Rounding out the slate: Toronto at the Islanders, Buffalo at Washington, Detroit at Nashville, Carolina at Atlanta, Tampa Bay at Florida, Philadelphia at Chicago, Edmonton at Vancouver, and then Phoenix on the road in Los Angeles.

Finally, the single college basketball game on Friday night sees No. 2 Connecticut looking to improve to 11-0 when they host Metro Atlantic's Fairfield.

A Peek at the Future

The bowl schedule gets busier on Saturday, with West Virginia vs. North Carolina in the Meineke Bowl, Wisconsin vs. Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl, and Miami vs. California in the Emerald Bowl . . . the NBA has eight more games on tap for Saturday, including Utah at Houston . . . . the Chargers are listed as 8-point home favorites in their big Sunday night AFC West showdown with Denver.

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[pm530]

Six-pack for Friday

According to the Bill James Handbook, these baserunners were the best in baseball in 2008, based on extra bases taken, as opposed to how often he ran into outs........

6) Nate McLouth, Pirates +44

5) Jimmy Rollins, Phillies +46

4) Grady Sizemore, Indians +50

3) Matt Holliday, Rockies (now on A's) +52

2) Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners +56

1) Willy Taveras, Rockies, +70

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[pm530]

Friday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but.........

13) From looks of things, Hornets weren't too thrilled playing on the road Christmas Day; New Orleans got down 30 in first half, making the Law and Order marathon on TNT a much more appealing viewing option. Rest of the day's games were highly competitive.

12) When Dennis Felton moved from Western Kentucky to Georgia, and Jeff Capel went from VCU to Oklahoma, part of the language in their contract buyouts said they had to play home/home series with their old schools, guaranteeing the old school two big paydays.

11) There is a high school sports league in the San Diego area called the Avocado League; who wouldn't want to live in an area where the local high school plays in the Avocado League?

10) How bogus will it be if Eldrick Woods loses his #1 golf ranking because he has been out hurt since June? It would be embarrassing to be the guy who takes his place, especially if it happens before Woods returns to competition, which could happen in March.

9) Watching the Spurs-Suns game today, unusual that Terry Porter played D-III college ball in Wisconsin; Gregg Popovich went to the Air Force Academy. Wouldn't expect them to be NBA head coaches.

8) Chris Paul's streak of games with a steal ended Thursday at 108, which is the NBA record.

7) Denver Broncos went 0-7-1 vs spread at home this year (4-4 SU).

6) Road team is 12-3 vs spread in the Lions' games this season.

5) The ACC has a half-page ad in The Sporting News touting both the present and past of its conference, with a player from each of the 12 schools shown; problem is, Rick Barry and Dell Curry are two of the players shown-- Miami and Virginia Tech were not in the ACC when those future NBA stars played in college.

4) When Portland State upset Gonzaga earlier this week, it probably improved their seed in NCAA tournament by a seed or two, if they win the Big Sky tournament, which is a big deal, since a lot more 13 and 14 seeds pull upsets than 15 seeds (only four ever). .

3) Interesting difference in philosophy; NBA schedules five games on Christmas Day, all nationally televised; the NHL, which could use a little exposure, opts not to play, when they definitely could get NBC to put them on Christmas afternoon. NHL has an outdoor game on New Year's Day at Wrigley Field, but they think Christmas is day for family, so they don't schedule games. Interesting choice.

2) Milwaukee owner Mark Attanasio thinks baseball might now need a salary cap (ya think?), noting that the Bronx Bombers just shelled out $420M for three guys-- he paid $220M for his entire franchise when he bought the Brewers from Bud Selig's daughter.

1) Pittsburgh Penguins are getting a new arena soon, but their season ticket holders will not have to buy hideous PSLs in order to purchase their season tickets. Thank the Lord someone has some sense-- with the economy struggling like it is, charging for PSLs is now ludicrous, if it wasn't (????) before now. How greedy can people be?

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association - Dunkel Index

NBA
Dunkel Index

Chicago at Miami
The Bulls are averaging over 100 points per game (100.4), but run into a Heat team that is 7-2 ATS against good offensive teams (99+ points per game). Miami is the pick (-4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by 7 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Miami (-4 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26

Game 501-502: Chicago at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 112.730; Miami 120.095
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 7 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 4 1/2; 199 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-4 1/2); Under

Game 503-504: Minnesota at New York
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 110.882; New York 115.652
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 5; 204 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 6 1/2; 213
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+5); Under

Game 505-506: Charlotte at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 114.528; New Jersey 121.627
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 7; 205
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey by 4 1/2; 192
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-4 1/2); Over

Game 507-508: Indiana at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 114.797; Memphis 117.250
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 2 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 509-510: Houston at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 121.082; New Orleans 122.262
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 1; 193
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 2 1/2; 185
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+2 1/2); Over

Game 511-512: Oklahoma City at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 110.292; Detroit 120.261
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 10; 196
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 513-514: Dallas at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 116.995; Utah 123.179
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 6; 191 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A;

Game 515-516: Philadelphia at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 116.163; Denver 124.200
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 8; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 7; 197 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-7); Over

Game 517-518: Toronto at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 112.995; Sacramento 113.335
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 209
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 2 1/2; 198
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+2 1/2); Over

Game 519-520: Boston at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 129.789; Golden State 115.153
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 14 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association – Long Sheet

NBA
Long Sheet


Friday, December 26

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CHICAGO (13 - 15) at MIAMI (15 - 12) - 12/26/2008, 5:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 15-30 ATS (-18.0 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 16-30 ATS (-17.0 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 43-64 ATS (-27.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 7-24 ATS (-19.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 18-36 ATS (-21.6 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 7-4 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 9-2 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MINNESOTA (4 - 23) at NEW YORK (11 - 16) - 12/26/2008, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 80-107 ATS (-37.7 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 38-52 ATS (-19.2 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 22-35 ATS (-16.5 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 15-31 ATS (-19.1 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 40-60 ATS (-26.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-0 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 3-1 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CHARLOTTE (10 - 19) at NEW JERSEY (14 - 14) - 12/26/2008, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 45-23 ATS (+19.7 Units) after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in home games in December games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 9-23 ATS (-16.3 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 3-3 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 5-2 straight up against CHARLOTTE 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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INDIANA (10 - 18) at MEMPHIS (9 - 19) - 12/26/2008, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 3-1 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 3-1 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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HOUSTON (19 - 10) at NEW ORLEANS (16 - 9) - 12/26/2008, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 67-50 ATS (+12.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 50-33 ATS (+13.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 37-24 ATS (+10.6 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 30-15 ATS (+13.5 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 44-20 ATS (+22.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 53-34 ATS (+15.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 64-50 ATS (+9.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 274-221 ATS (+30.9 Units) in road games since 1996.
HOUSTON is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 5-3 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 5-4 straight up against HOUSTON 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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OKLAHOMA CITY (3 - 26) at DETROIT (15 - 11) - 12/26/2008, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 4-0 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DALLAS (17 - 11) at UTAH (17 - 13) - 12/26/2008, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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PHILADELPHIA (12 - 16) at DENVER (18 - 11) - 12/26/2008, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in road games after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 3-1 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 2-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TORONTO (11 - 17) at SACRAMENTO (7 - 22) - 12/26/2008, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 14-25 ATS (-13.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 4-19 ATS (-16.9 Units) after allowing 85 points or less over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 2-2 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 2-2 straight up against TORONTO 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 (27 - 3) at GOLDEN STATE (8 - 22) - 12/26/2008, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 3-1 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 3-2 straight up against BOSTON 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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[pm530]

National Basketball Association - Short Sheet

NBA
Short Sheet


Friday, December 26th

Chicago at Miami, 5:05 ET ESPN
Chicago: 19-8 Over off ATS win
Miami: 7-24 ATS when favored

Minnesota at New York, 7:35 ET
Minnesota: 15-30 ATS off ATS win
New York: 11-3 ATS off a road game

Charlotte at New Jersey, 7:35 ET
Charlotte: 45-23 ATS after scoring 85 points or less
New Jersey: 4-15 ATS at home off SU win as underdog

Indiana at Memphis, 8:05 ET
Indiana: 6-1 Over vs. Western Conference
Memphis: 7-1 ATS as home underdog

Houston at New Orleans, 8:05 ET
Houston: 12-4 Over in road games
New Orleans: 30-15 ATS playing on back-to-back days

Oklahoma City at Detroit, 8:05 ET
Oklahoma City: 11-3 ATS as road underdog
Detroit: 4-9 ATS in home games

Dallas at Utah, 9:05 ET
Dallas: 10-4 ATS in road games
Utah: 4-0 Under playing with 2 days rest

Philadelphia at Denver, 9:05 ET
Philadelphia: 16-9 Under this season
Denver: 15-3 ATS at home vs. Eastern Conference

Toronto at Sacramento, 10:05 ET
Toronto: 4-19 ATS after allowing 85 points or less
Sacramento: 32-17 Over off ATS loss

Boston at Golden State, 10:35 ET NBATV
Boston: 3-7 ATS at Golden State
Golden State: 9-2 Over in home games

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association – Write up

NBA
Write-up


Friday, December 26

Hot Teams
-- Bobcats won three of last four games, covered six of last nine.
-- Rockets won eight of their last eleven games.
-- Oklahoma City covered five of its last six games.
-- Dallas won three in row, 15 of last 19 games.
-- Celtics had their 19-game win streak snapped yesterday in Staples.

Cold Teams
-- Bulls lost their last five road games (1-4 vs spread).
-- Knicks lost last four games, allowing 114 ppg; they're 3-3 as favorite. Minnesota lost its last 13 games (4-4 vs spread since new coach).
-- Nets are 1-4 vs spread in game following their last five wins.
-- Grizzlies lost last four games, by 7-29-9-18 points.
-- Hornets lost last two games, scoring 87-68 points.
-- Pistons covered two of their last nine games.
-- Jazz lost four of their last six games.
-- Nuggets lost four of their last five games. 76ers are 5-8 vs spread on the road this season.
-- Kings lost last three games, by 11-9-16 points, but covered three of their last four games. Raptors lost five of their last six games.
-- Warriors lost seven of last eight games (3-6 vs the spread in their last nine home games).

Totals
-- Last six Chicago games all went over the total; five of last six Miami games stayed under.
-- Under is 8-3 in New York's last eleven games.
-- Three of last four Charlotte games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Indiana games went over the total; five of Memphis' last six games stayed under.
-- Over is 14-3 in Houston's last seventeen games; last seven Hornet games all stayed under. .
-- Three of last four Oklahoma City games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Dallas games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Denver games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-3-1 in Sacramento's last ten games.
-- Under is 7-3 in Golden State's last ten games.

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association – Trend Sheet

NBA


Friday, December 26

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Trend Sheet
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5:00 PM CHICAGO vs. MIAMI
Chicago is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games
Miami is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Chicago
Miami is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Chicago


7:30 PM CHARLOTTE vs. NEW JERSEY
Charlotte is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New Jersey
Charlotte is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
New Jersey is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games


7:30 PM MINNESOTA vs. NEW YORK
Minnesota is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against New York
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against New York
New York is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
New York is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota


8:00 PM HOUSTON vs. NEW ORLEANS
Houston is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing New Orleans
Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
New Orleans is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
New Orleans is 4-7-1 ATS in its last 12 games at home


8:00 PM INDIANA vs. MEMPHIS
Indiana is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Indiana is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Memphis is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Memphis's last 7 games when playing at home against Indiana


8:00 PM OKLAHOMA CITY vs. DETROIT
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Oklahoma City is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games


9:00 PM DALLAS vs. UTAH
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Utah is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing Dallas


9:00 PM PHILADELPHIA vs. DENVER
Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Denver
Philadelphia is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games
Denver is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Denver's last 10 games at home


10:00 PM TORONTO vs. SACRAMENTO
Toronto is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Toronto is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Sacramento is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Sacramento is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games at home


10:30 PM BOSTON vs. GOLDEN STATE
Boston is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Boston is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Golden State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association - Tips & Trends

NBA


Friday, December 26

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Tips and Trends
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Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat [ESPN | 5 PM ET]

Bulls: Chicago is riding a five-game road losing streak and has gone just 3-10 away from home this season. The Bulls lost 104-98 at Detroit on Tuesday and has trailed at the end of the first quarter in four straight games. “I can’t do anything but treat it like another game,” Chicago rookie point guard Derrick Rose said. “We need a win too badly, especially on the road, for me to think about anything else." Rose is second among rookies in the NBA with 17.5 points per game and also averaging 6.1 assists.

Bulls are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games vs. Southeast Division.
The UNDER is 9-4 in Chicago's last 13 games vs. Southeast Division.

Key Injuries - F Andres Nocioni (head) is probable.
C/F Drew Gooden (ankle) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 94

Heat (-5, O/U 199.5): Miami forward Michael Beasley will be playing with a chip on his shoulder in this game after Chicago chose Rose over him with the #1 overall pick in this past year's NBA draft. Beasley is fourth among rookies in scoring with 13.4 points per game and has been coming off the bench in the last 11 games after starting the first 15. He will be facing Chicago for the first time. “Me and Derrick Rose, that’s irrelevant,” Beasley said. “It’s me and Chicago, Miami and Chicago. I’ve been thinking about this game for a long time, just because they didn’t pick me. It’s nothing against them. It’s natural.”

Heat are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 Friday games.
The UNDER is 7-1 in Miami's last 8 games vs. Central Division.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 105 (Side Play of the Day)

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[pm530]

National Basketball Association – Hot lines

NBA


Friday, December 26

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Pick ‘n’ Roll: NBA bets
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Toronto Raptors at Sacramento Kings (+2.5, 199)

After losing a franchise-worst eight in a row at home, Sacramento has won two of three at Arco Arena and reason to be confident it can make it three of four.

On Friday night, the slumping Kings will try to improve that home record and avoid a five-game losing streak as they host the Toronto Raptors, whom they've beaten 10 straight times at Arco.

The Kings (7-22), who dropped eight consecutive home games from Nov. 11-Dec. 6, are 11-1 all-time at Arco against the Raptors, with the only loss a 103-96 defeat on March 13, 1997. Sacramento recently capped off an 0-4 road trip with a 101-85 loss at San Antonio on Monday, its 17th defeat in the last 20 games.

John Salmons hit 7-of-13 shots and scored a team-high 22 points, but Sacramento made just 39.7 percent of its shots. The Kings also allowed the Spurs to make 52.1 percent of their shots, continuing their season-long struggles on defense as they are 27th in field goal defense at 47.6 percent.

"(The Spurs) were hitting their shots, and then we went through a spurt where we turned the ball over," said Salmons, who averaged 23.8 points and shot 58.3 percent on the four-game road trip.

Turning the ball over has been a problem all season for the Kings, who are among the league's worst at 15.9 per game.

Since defeating Minnesota 118-103 in interim coach Kenny Natt's debut on Dec. 15, Sacramento has averaged just 87.0 points and shot 41.0 percent during its four-game slide.

"Hopefully, we all learned a lesson from a team like that," Natt said. "Their poise, the way they execute and take care of the basketball. Things like that. They gave us an A, No. 1 lesson on that."

Pick: Sacramento +2.5



Houston Rockets at New Orleans Hornets (-2, 184.5)

A pair of losses against division-leading teams derailed a bit of the New Orleans Hornets' momentum, and they'll be trying to avoid a similar fate on Friday night as they host the Southwest Division rival Houston Rockets.

New Orleans (16-9) had a four-game winning streak snapped with Tuesday's 100-87 home loss to the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers before falling 88-68 at Southeast Division leader Orlando on Thursday in one of the league's five Christmas Day matchups.

Chris Paul and David West, leading the team with 19.9 and 19.4 points per contest, respectively, combined for 25 for New Orleans, which fell into a 30-point deficit at halftime and shot a season-low 33.3 percent (28-for-84) from the field.

For the Hornets to avoid their first three-game slide of the season, they'll need a more solid offensive effort against a Rockets team that ranks among the top defenses in the league, allowing the seventh-fewest points per game (94.0) while limiting opponents to 44.0 percent shooting.

New Orleans will face another division leader as Houston (19-10) enters tied with San Antonio for the top spot in the Southwest after the Spurs edged Phoenix 91-90 on Thursday.

"We have to understand that against some of the these (teams) you can come out and mess around a little bit, but against the Lakers, Orlando and the team we play (Friday) night you can't come out that way," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "That's the bottom line."

Paul, the NBA steals leader (3.0 average), had his league-record string of 108 games with at least one snapped Thursday.

New Orleans dropped its first meeting this season with Houston, 91-82 on the road on Nov. 15. Paul was held to a season-low 12 points - also his total on Thursday - as he was swarmed by Houston defenders.

"Chris is a phenomenal point guard who likes to probe a lot," Rockets swingman Tracy McGrady said after that victory. "Our guys really did a great job not getting caught up in picks, staying with him and either making him take tough shots or kicking it to his guys who were covered. We didn't give many wide-open looks."

Pick: Houston +2

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[pm530]

College Basketball - Dunkel Index

NCAAB
Dunkel Index

Fairfield at UConn
The Stags look to build on their 4-1 ATS record against the Big East over the last three seasons. Fairfield is the underdog pick (+23) according to Dunkel, which has Connecticut favored by just 21 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+23).

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26

Game 521-522: Fairfield at Connecticut
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 53.869; Connecticut 75.498
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 21 1/2
Vegas Line: Connecticut by 23
Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+23)

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[pm530]

College Basketball – Long Sheet

NCAAB
Long Sheet


Friday, December 26

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FAIRFIELD (8 - 3) at CONNECTICUT (10 - 0) - 12/26/2008, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FAIRFIELD is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 or more points since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 1-0 against the spread versus FAIRFIELD over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 1-0 straight up against FAIRFIELD over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

College Basketball - Short Sheet

NCAAB
Short Sheet


Friday, December 26th

Fairfield vs. Connecticut, 1:00 ET (at Hartford) | ESPNU
Fairfield: 4-15 ATS as a road underdog of 12.5+ points
UConn: 11-3 ATS at home off SU win

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[pm530]

College Basketball – Write up

NCAAB
Write-up


Friday, December 26

Notes on today's game.............

Farifield won its last six games, is 8-3, losing at Memphis by 27, 87-59 vs Missouri and 74-57 vs Virginia Tech on neutral floor- they're 0-3 vs spread as underdog. MAAC road dogs are 15-18 vs the spread, 11-11 on foreign soil. UConn had OT win in Seattle vs Gonzaga Saturday- they're opening Big East play vs Georgetown Monday, so sandwich game for Huskies here- they're 2-3 vs spread when favored in lined tilt. Big East home favorites are 25-29 against the spread.

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