The Bum's Sunday's Best Bets NBA-NCAAB-NHL !

[StarDust Bum]

Miami Heat Host Chicago Bulls Headlining NBA Weekend

Looking ahead to this upcoming week’s action, no game is bigger than Sunday afternoon’s matchup between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat in Miami.

Currently the Eastern Conference’s top two seeds, the Chicago Bulls (17-4) and the Miami Heat (14-5) could be on a collision course to a return to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they met last season. After losing Game 1 in Chicago, Miami went on to win the next four straight to clinch the series; the Bulls would love to exact some revenge this Sunday.

The game pits the NBA’s second best offensive team in Miami (averaging 104.4 points per game) against the league’s best defensive team in Chicago (averaging 87.0 points per game against). Sunday’s game starts at 3:30 p.m. (ET) and will be televised nationally on ABC.

The Los Angeles Clippers (10-6) face a tough back-to-back test to start off the NBA betting week with a road game against the Denver Nuggets Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. (ET) and then a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday night at 10:30 p.m. (ET). Monday’s game against Oklahoma City will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV.

The Denver Nuggets have been one of the biggest surprise teams of the 2011-12 NBA season. Boasting a 14-5 SU and ATS record, the Nuggets are currently the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and have been the league’s most offensively productive team with 105.8 points per game. Considering that the Clippers also have a strong offense (ninth in the NBA with 97.1 points per game) and neither team is particularly strong on defense (Denver ranks 26th with 98.6 points per game against, Los Angeles ranks 20th with 95.8), we could see plenty of fireworks in this one.

Oklahoma City (16-3) came into the year as a Championship favorite, and haven’t disappointed with the best record in basketball to this point in the season. The Thunder are another high-powered offense, ranking third in the NBA with 100.4 points per game. Oklahoma City will put its strong road record (8-2 SU) up against the Clippers’ strong home record (9-2).

The Orlando Magic (12-7) have an opportunity to gain some ground this week facing two teams directly ahead of them in the standings with a home game against the Indiana Pacers at 6:00 p.m. (ET) Sunday and a road game against the Philadelphia 76ers Monday at 7:00 p.m. (ET). Since starting the year off strong at 10-3 SU (8-5 ATS), Orlando has hit a bit of a slump going 2-4 SU and ATS over its last six games. Indiana (12-6) was one of those two wins for Orlando as the Pacers fell at home 102-83 as a 3 ½-point favorite to the Magic last Tuesday. Philadelphia (13-6) is off to a great start this season, playing well on both sides of the court ranking fourth in the NBA in points per game (98.8) and second best in points against per game (87.6).

Out West, another game to look out for Sunday night is the San Antonio Spurs visiting the Dallas Mavericks at 6:30 p.m. (ET) in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPN. Each at 12-8 SU, both teams are trying to shake off slow starts to the season. San Antonio is just 2-7 SU and ATS on the road this season.

[StarDust Bum]

Hoop Trends - Sunday

January 29, 2012


SU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Bulls are 10-0 ATS (13.6 ppg) since December 26, 2009 with at least one day of rest after a game in which less than 45% of their baskets were assisted.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Lakers are 0-18-1 OU (-14.1 ppg) since May 27, 2008 after a road loss in which they allowed at least 50% from the field.

PLAYER BASED TREND OF THE DAY:

The Spurs are 11-0 OU (9.4 ppg) since January 29, 2003 on the road after a loss on the road in which Tim Duncan shot worse than 33% from the field.

CHOICE TREND:

The Raptors are 0-13 ATS (-8.8 ppg) since January 10, 2010 as a dog after losing the previous matchup in which Demar Derozan scored fewer than 10 points.

TODAY’S TRENDS:

The Hawks are 11-0 OU (14.2 ppg) since January 13, 2008 with at most one day of rest off an overtime game as a favorite.

[StarDust Bum]

Inside the Paint - Sunday

January 29, 2012

Matchup of the Day - Chicago at Miami

The Bulls (17-4 straight up, 12-9 against the spread) had the best record in the NBA last season and they’re on pace to repeat that feat. Three of Chicago’s four losses (8-3 SU, 7-4 ATS) have come on the road, but one did come without the duties of point guard Derrick Rose. The Bulls haven’t been underdogs all season, but they’ll be catching points today at Miami (14-5 SU, 8-11 ATS) and deservingly so. The Heat has outscored opponents by an average of 14 points per game at American Airlines Arena, which has produced an 8-2 SU and 5-5 ATS ledger. Dwyane Wade (ankle) returned to action on Friday in the team’s 99-89 home win over New York. Wade looked sharp in his return, scoring 28 points in 32 minutes. Miami is 6-1 SU in its last seven, but just 3-4 ATS and that includes four straight losses versus the number. Make a note that this will be the first of nine straight games on the road for Chicago.

In last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, Chicago captured Game 1 at home before the Heat ripped off four straight wins and covers en route to their trip to the NBA Finals. The Bulls put up 103 in their victory, but were held to 75, 85, 93 and 80 in the setbacks as the Heat took Rose out of the offensive equation.

The Heat are expected to have all players ready today, while the Bulls will be without Luol Deng (wrist) and possibly Richard Hamilton (groin). Despite being short-handed, Chicago is only a 4 1/2-point underdog.

Close Second - L.A. Clippers at Denver

The last game on Sunday’s NBA slate could have gamblers scratching their heads when the Clippers (10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS) and Nuggets (14-5 SU, 14-5 ATS). However, it looks like an easy winner when you look at the opening line (Denver -6), the tendencies and the matchup. Los Angeles has been awful on the road (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS), with the lone win coming on opening night at Golden State (105-86). Denver has a lot of solid players and its style frustrates everybody it’s faced so far. At home, George Karl’s team is 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS. Can you believe this team lost to the Hornets and Jazz at Pepsi Center as double-digit favorites? Letdowns certainly happen, but most would assume Denver should get up for this game. The two teams will square off again on Thursday from Staples Center. Total players are looking at a 204 opener and Denver is 8-2 to the ‘over’ with totals listed at 200-plus.

We meet again

Orlando (12-7 SU, 10-9 ATS) and Indiana (12-6 SU, 10-8 ATS) are decent teams yet they’re impossible to figure out, especially from a handicapping standpoint. For example, the Magic were embarrassed by the Celtics (56-87) last Monday before rebounding at Indiana (102-83) on Tuesday. Sure enough, Stan Van Gundy’s team follows up the road win by blowing a 27-point lead at home to Boston (83-91) on Thursday. To make matters worse, the Magic get blasted at New Orleans by 26 points (67-93) on Friday. Indiana isn’t as confusing as the Magic but losses to the Pistons and Kings certainly make you think, especially when this team owns road wins over the Celtics, Lakers and Bulls. The one thing that’s impressive about Indiana so far is it hasn’t lost two games in a row. Since it loss on Friday to Boston (87-94), is a win in order tonight?

Road Kill

San Antonio has played nine games on the road this season and its gone 2-7 both SU and ATS, and both of the wins came by exactly two points. On Sunday the Spurs visit Dallas, who’s been a tough out at home (8-3 SU, 8-3 ATS) this season. Despite those tendencies, the Spurs have won and covered four in a row against the Mavs, including a 93-71 decision at home this season on Jan. 5.

While the Spurs have been bad away from home, the Los Angeles Lakers have been worse (1-7 SU, 1-7 ATS). The oddsmakers have taken notice, listing the Lakers as short underdogs to Minnesota (9-10 SU, 12-7 ATS) on Sunday. The Timberwolves have been very competitive this season, evidenced by a pair of wins against both the Mavericks and Spurs. Before you play Minnesota, be aware that the Lakers have won 15 (8-6-1 ATS) in a row over the Wolves, which includes seven straight on the road.

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday Tips

January 29, 2012

The Sunday college basketball card gives bettors several opportunities to win if they don't want to wager on the NHL All-Star game or the Pro Bowl. We'll take a look at four night contests, including a pair of rivalry contests in the Pac-12 involving the battle of Oregon and Cal hosting Stanford. Things begin on Tobacco Road with the Tar Heels attempting to keep its winning ways going against a struggling Rambling Wreck squad.

Georgia Tech at North Carolina - 6:00 PM EST

The ACC is turning into a three-horse race at the top with Duke, UNC, and Florida State jockeying for the top spot in the conference. The Tar Heels own a perfect 13-0 record in Chapel Hill this season, including wins over Boston College, Miami, and N.C. State in conference play. Roy Williams' team looks to avoid a letdown when the cellar-dwelling Yellow Jackets invade the Dean Smith Center.

Georgia Tech has dropped four straight games since upsetting North Carolina State in Raleigh as 10-point underdogs, 82-71. The Jackets have busted the 50-point mark only once in the last four losses, while getting spanked by Miami on Tuesday, 64-49 as 1 ½-point home underdogs. The lone piece of good news for Brian Gregory's club is the 3-0 ATS record in ACC play as 'dogs of nine points or more, including covers in losses to Duke and Clemson.

The Heels own a 6-2 ATS record as a favorite of between 10 and 26 points this season, while scoring 80 points or more in eight of the past 10 home contests. In North Carolina's only meeting with Georgia Tech last season, the Jackets ran out the Heels as six-point home underdogs in a 78-58 rout at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.

Iowa at Indiana - 6:30 PM EST

The Hoosiers began the season on fire by running off 12 consecutive victories, but Indiana has hit a speed bump with losses in four of its past five. Tom Crean's club hosts surprising Iowa at Assembly Hall, as the Hawkeyes have upset Wisconsin and Michigan in Big 10 play. Iowa looks to improve its road record to 4-1 ATS within conference action, including two covers as double-digit underdogs.

Indiana cashed in its first seven lined games of the season, including an upset of top-ranked Kentucky, 73-72 as 5 ½-point home 'dogs in mid-December. Following a stunning victory as home 'dogs against Ohio State, the Hoosiers have stumbled to a 1-6 ATS record the last seven games. Included in this skid are straight-up losses to Minnesota and Nebraska in the favorite role, but IU owns a 6-2-1 mark to the 'over' in conference play.

Iowa is slowly become a noticeable team to bet on by posting a 7-3 ATS record the previous 10 contests, despite Thursday's home loss to Nebraska. The Hawkeyes have lost two conference games by 29 points or more to Michigan State and Ohio State, but Fran McCaffery's team pulled off the biggest win inside the Big 10 at Wisconsin as 17-point underdogs. Iowa swept the season series from Indiana last season, including a 64-63 triumph in Bloomington as 5 ½-point 'dogs last February.

Oregon State at Oregon - 6:30 PM EST

The battle of the Beaver State takes place in Eugene as the Ducks go for a 7-2 start in Pac-12 play. Oregon State swept the Los Angeles duo last weekend with a pair of victories over UCLA (87-84) and USC (78-59) to improve to 3-5 inside the conference. The Beavers are searching for their first Pac-12 road win after losing the opening four contests away from Corvallis, while failing to cover each time as an underdog.

The Ducks have owned three separate winning streaks of four games this season, as Dana Altman's team lost by double-figures in losses to BYU and Washington when trying for a fifth straight victory. Oregon pulled off consecutive road underdogs wins at Arizona and Arizona State, followed by home wins over USC and UCLA. The Ducks attempt to improve on a 2-5 ATS record as a favorite this season, while going for their third straight win in the series over the Beavers.

Craig Robinson's club has turned into the hottest 'over' team in the country by cashing in 10 straight lined games, including all eight in Pac-12 play. Oregon State has won only two road games all season, beating winless Towson and knocking off 2-18 Chicago State each by over 20 points. The Beavers are 2-8-1 ATS the previous 11 conference road contests dating back to last season, with both covers coming as 12-point 'dogs or more.

Stanford at California - 8:30 PM EST

These two Bay Area rivals sit in the upper-half of the conference race, while the Golden Bears look to take sole possession of first with a victory to go along with an Oregon loss. Stanford has struggled from an ATS standpoint since early December by putting together a 3-8 ATS mark the last 11 lined games. The Cardinal attempts to snap a two-game skid after losing a pair of games by double-digits at Washington and Washington State last weekend.

Cal had its four-game winning streak come to a screeching halt in Pullman last Saturday with a 77-75 setback at Washington State as 4 ½-point road 'chalk.' Mike Montgomery's club owns a 4-0 record in Berkeley inside conference play, but has been listed as a single-digit home favorite only once, coming in a 16-point rout of UCLA as 6 ½-point 'chalk.' The Golden Bears are 5-1 ATS off a non-cover, with the lone ATS loss appearing in a 53-49 victory over USC, as Cal was listed as 10 ½-point favorites.

Stanford has been less than impressive away from Palo Alto by posting a 3-3 record on the highway, but two of those victories came at UC-Davis and Seattle. The only road win in Pac-12 play came at Oregon State in four overtimes, 103-101, just the fourth away victory against a conference foe since last season. The Cardinal split the two meetings with the Bears in 2011, but Stanford has dropped each of the last three matchups at Haas Pavillion.

[StarDust Bum]

This has nothing to do with the NHL game today but i'd thought i'd throw it in for those of you who haven't heard about this........



Gov suggests goalie's DC snub was rude

January 26, 2012


BOSTON (AP) - A Boston Bruins goalie's decision to skip a White House ceremony with President Barack Obama because he believes the federal government is ``out of control'' points to a growing lack of courtesy in the country, Gov. Deval Patrick said Thursday.

Patrick, a Democrat, was asked about the controversy Thursday during his monthly ``Ask the Governor'' program on WTKK-FM. He didn't directly criticize goalie Tim Thomas, but suggested that the snub showed disrespect toward the presidency.

``He's a phenomenal hockey player and he's entitled to his views,'' Patrick said. ``It just feels like we are losing in this country basic courtesy and grace.''

The governor said while he strongly disagreed with many of the policies of former President George W. Bush, a Republican, he was always respectful when they met.

``I always referred to him as Mr. President, I stood when he came into the room. There are rules to live by,'' Patrick said.

The ceremony on Monday was to honor the Bruins for winning the Stanley Cup last season, their first championship in 39 years. Thomas was named the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup finals against the Vancouver Canucks.

Thomas explained his choice in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

``I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people,'' he wrote.

Thomas blamed all three branches of government and both political parties.

``This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country,'' he said in the statement, adding that he did not plan to speak further about his decision.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Sunday, January 29

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 3:30 PM ET Chicago +4.5 500
Miami - Under 191.5 500

Cleveland - 6:00 PM ET Cleveland +7 500
Boston - Under 181 500

Toronto - 6:00 PM ET New Jersey -5 500
New Jersey - Under 183 500

Indiana - 6:00 PM ET Indiana +3 500
Orlando - Over 181 500

San Antonio - 6:30 PM ET San Antonio +5 500
Dallas - Over 188 500

Atlanta - 7:00 PM ET Atlanta -2 500
New Orleans - Under 174 500

L.A. Lakers - 7:00 PM ET L.A. Lakers +1 500
Minnesota - Over 183 500

L.A. Clippers - 8:00 PM ET Denver -6 500
Denver - Over 204.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB

Sunday, January 29

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Notre Dame - 12:00 PM ET Connecticut -8.5 500
Connecticut - Over 128.5 500

Michigan - 1:00 PM ET Ohio St. -13.5 500
Ohio St. - Over 127 500

Marist - 1:00 PM ET Marist +15.5 500
Fairfield - Over 135.5 500

Miami - Florida - 1:00 PM ET Miami - Florida -8 500
Boston College - Under 130.5 500

Siena - 2:00 PM ET Siena +5 500
Rider - Over 140 500

Providence - 2:00 PM ET Providence +7.5 500
South Florida - Over 122.5 500

Loyola-Maryland - 2:15 PM ET Loyola-Maryland -10 500
Canisius - Under 134.5 500

Manhattan - 4:00 PM ET Manhattan -3 500
Niagara - Under 137.5 500

Montana - 4:05 PM ET Montana -3.5 500
Portland St. - Under 143.5 500

Iona - 4:30 PM ET Iona -14 500
St. Peter's - Over 142 500

Georgia Tech - 6:00 PM ET North Carolina -21.5 500
North Carolina - Under 143.5 500

Iowa - 6:00 PM ET Indiana -11.5 500
Indiana - Under 151 500

Troy - 6:05 PM ET South Alabama -5.5 500
South Alabama - Under 140.5 500

Oregon St. - 6:30 PM ET Oregon St. +1 500
Oregon - Over 154 500

Indiana St. - 8:00 PM ET Evansville -4.5 500
Evansville - Under 141 500

Stanford - 8:30 PM ET California -8.5 500
California - Over 130.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Sunday, January 29

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Team Chara - 4:00 PM ET Team Alfredsson -106 500

Team Alfredsson - Under 19 500

[Kaptain]

gl today BUM....as always, thanks for all your hard work and sharing with us.........get em Brudda