Thursday's Trends and Indexes - 2/16 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel

LA Clippers at Portland
The Clippers look to build on their 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games when playing with 0 days of rest. LA is the pick (-1) according to Dunkel, which has the Clippers favored by 4. Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (-1). Here are all of today's picks

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Game 701-702: New Jersey at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 108.819; Indiana 120.686
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 12; 188
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 9 1/2; 191
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-9 1/2); Under

Game 703-704: Boston at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 117.768; Chicago 124.277
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 6 1/2; 177
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 8; 174
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+8); Over

Game 705-706: LA Clippers at Portland (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 121.308; Portland 117.373
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 4; 189
Vegas Line & Total: LA Clippers by 1; 194
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (-1); Under




NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, February 16

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NEW JERSEY (8 - 22) at INDIANA (17 - 12) - 2/16/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 8-1 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 9-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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BOSTON (15 - 13) at CHICAGO (24 - 7) - 2/16/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 6-4 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-5 straight up against BOSTON 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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LA CLIPPERS (18 - 9) at PORTLAND (16 - 14) - 2/16/2012, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 5-4 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 7-2 straight up against LA CLIPPERS 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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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, February 16

Hot Teams
-- Bulls won six of last seven games, covered one of last five at home.
-- Clippers won five of their last seven games.

Cold Teams
-- Nets lost their last seven games (0-6 vs spread in last six). Pacers lost six of their last seven games.
-- Celtics lost three of last four games, are 6-2 vs spread as a dog.
-- Blazers lost last three home games, allowing 112.7 ppg.

Wear and Tear
-- Nets: 2nd nite in row after three off. Pacers: 3rd nite in a row.
-- Celtics: 2nd nite in row after two off. Bulls: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Clippers: 5th game/7 nites. Trailblazers: 3rd nite in row, 5th/7 nites.

Totals
-- Seven of last nine New Jersey games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Chicago games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Portland games went over the total.




NBA

Thursday, February 16

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
NEW JERSEY vs. INDIANA
New Jersey is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
New Jersey is 5-18 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Indiana is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Indiana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey

8:00 PM
BOSTON vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games
Boston is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
Chicago is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home

10:30 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. PORTLAND
LA Clippers are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games
LA Clippers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
Portland is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games at home


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NBA

Thursday, February 16

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Scouting the schedule: Hot NBA betting trends
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With the NBA nearing the midway point of its 66-game condensed schedule this campaign, let’s take a quick peak at what’s working and what isn’t in the league this season.

All results are against the spread (ATS) in games played through Feb. 14 unless noted otherwise.

Disparity Rules

One major result of the crammed schedule has been an abundance of blowout games.

Last year during the NBA regular season a total of 63 games were decided by 20 or more points. This season we’ve witnessed 72 games decided by 20 or more points – and we’re not even at the half-way point yet.

Furthermore, five teams last season failed to score 70 points in a contest. We’ve seen 13 teams fail to hit the 70-point plateau this season.

FYI: favorites of more than six points are 11-0 SU and 10-1 ATS in games after failing to score 80 points, while dogs of 12 or more points are 0-6 SU and ATS.

Trips To Win

One of the residual effects of the condensed schedule was forcing each team in the league to play one set of three games in three days.

Teams in this role have responded with aplomb thus far, going 11-9 Su and 12-8 ATS in the final leg of the marathon string.

Better yet, home teams in this role are 10-3 SU and ATS, including 6-0 SU and ATS in same conference clashes and 4-1 SU and ATS as dogs.

Twice Is Enough

Teams off back-to-back victories have had a difficult time rewarding their supporters as evidenced by a dismal 92-116-1 ATS overall mark this season.

Put them at home against an opponent off a loss and they dip to 18-41 ATS, and even worse 6-20 ATS when hosting a foe off back-to-back losses.

Plenty Of Zzz’s

It’s not often teams enjoy the luxury of three or more days of rest in this shortened season.

In fact, only 12 squads to date have been enjoyed the benefits of extended time off. These well-rest clubs have gone 8-4 ATS this season, including 6-1 ATS away and 3-0 ATS as underdogs.

Mad As Hell

NBA teams taking to the road after having been upset as a favorite in their previous game have been moneymakers, going 45-27 ATS this season.

Put them up against an opponent off back-to-back wins and they zoom to 19-5 ATS.

Make A Note

Keep an eye on these five teams to see where to go as the season wears on:

• Charlotte: 0-7 ATS with revenge versus a foe off a loss

• Denver: 7-0 ATS off win versus a foe off a loss

• Los Angeles Clippers: 6-0 ATS off a SU and ATS loss versus a foe off a loss

• Milwaukee: 0-6 ATS as a dog with no rest and with revenge

• Philadelphia: 6-0 ATS off a loss of less than 10 points


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NBA

Thursday, February 16

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Pick 'n' roll: Thursday's best NBA bets
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Editor's note: With injuries littering Thursday's three-game slate, oddsmakers have yet to post lines for these matchups. Picks should be considered early leans.

Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls (-8, 178)

The Chicago Bulls are expected to be without Derrick Rose for a fourth straight game Thursday, but so far at least, his teammates are sticking together in the MVP’s absence.

Chicago came away with a 121-115 win over the Sacramento Kings Tuesday, but couldn’t cash in as an 11-point favorite even though the Bulls had a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter.

“Missing Derrick, even though we’re winning games, it’s huge,” Luol Deng told reporters after scoring 23 points and dishing a career-high 11 assists. “He makes the game so much easier. When he’s not there, you’ve got to work extra.”

Bulls supports know all about it. They have watched their club go 1-2 against the number with Rose on the shelf and it doesn’t look like the superstar is about to return to the club anytime soon as he deals with back spasms.

Boston will likely be dealing with some injury concerns as well with Kevin Garnett banged up, but after the Celtics were pumped by Detroit Wednesday night, we’re looking at the home team here.

Pick: Bulls


New Jersey Nets at Indiana Pacers (-9.5, 191)

The Indiana Pacers hoped Danny Granger would be able to play Wednesday against Cleveland. He took the pregame warmup but sat out with a sprained ankle and Pacers missed him in a big way.

Indiana was held to just 38 points in the first half and shot only 36.8 percent from the floor as Cleveland ran away with a 98-87 victory when all was said and done.

The Pacers have now dropped seven straight against the number and you have to figure Granger, who leads the team scoring 18 points per game, will at least give it a go Thursday.

Meanwhile, New Jersey has lost eight in a row after Wednesday’s loss at home to Memphis. Outside of Deron Williams, there just isn’t too much to get excited about with this Nets team.

Pick: Pacers


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[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet

Thursday, February 16

NEW JERSEY at INDIANA, 7:05 PM ET
NEW JERSEY: 11-3 Over off BB losses
INDIANA: 9-21 ATS playing on back to back days

BOSTON at CHICAGO, 8:05 PM ET TNT
BOSTON: 8-18 ATS playing on back to back days
CHICAGO: 9-1 Under at home if total is 179.5 or less

LA CLIPPERS at PORTLAND, 10:35 PM ET TNT
LA CLIPPERS: 8-0 ATS Away after allowing 85 pts or less
PORTLAND: 0-7 ATS when the line is +3 to -3

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet

Thursday, February 16

CHICAGO at NY RANGERS, 7:05 PM ET
CHICAGO: 0-6 SU in February
NY RANGERS: 20-5 SU off road game

BUFFALO at PHILADELPHIA, 7:05 PM ET
BUFFALO: 4-11 SU off BB home games
PHILADELPHIA: 9-0 SU off 1 goal loss

SAN JOSE at TAMPA BAY, 7:35 PM ET
SAN JOSE: 28-10 SU off road win
TAMPA BAY: 7-16 SU off loss by 2+ goals

WINNIPEG at MINNESOTA, 8:05 PM ET
WINNIPEG: 14-5 SU after scoring 1 goal or less
MINNESOTA: 8-19 SU vs. non-conference

NY ISLANDERS at ST LOUIS, 8:05 PM ET
NY ISLANDERS: 8-4 SU in road games after 1 or more consecutive unders
ST LOUIS: 5-13 SU after allowing 2 goals or less in 3 straight games

CALGARY at DALLAS, 8:35 PM ET
CALGARY: 1-7 SU after allowing 2 goals or less in 3 straight games
DALLAS: 99-58 SU off a road blowout loss by 3 goals or more

PHOENIX at LOS ANGELES, 10:35 PM ET
PHOENIX: 64-48 SU off a close road loss by 1 goal
LOS ANGELES: 11-14 SU as a home favorite of -200 or less

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NCAAB
Short Sheet

Thursday's Top College Basketball Trends

NORTH TEXAS is 11-1 ATS vs. conference opponents (vs LA Monroe)

ARK LITTLE ROCK is 12-1 ATS off BB games w/ 12 or less assists (vs Fla International)

BOSTON COLLEGE is 13-1 ATS Away playing only 2nd game in 5 days (vs. Maryland)

MICHIGAN ST is 34-8 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 pts (vs Wisconsin)

ARIZONA ST is 0-8 ATS off BB home games (vs Washington)

LA LAFAYETTE is 14-3 ATS off a home win (vs Denver)

[Udog]

Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter dies at 57

NEW YORK (AP)—Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, whose single for the New York Mets in the 1986 World Series touched off one of the most improbable rallies in baseball, died Thursday. He was 57.

Carter was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last May, two weeks after finishing his second season as coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida.

“I am deeply saddened to tell you all that my precious dad went to be with Jesus today at 4:10 p.m.,” Carter’s daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote on the family website. “This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to write in my entire life but I wanted you all to know.”


Carter was an 11-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner. His bottom-of-the-10th single in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series helped the New York Mets mount a charge against the Boston Red Sox and eventually beat them.

“His nickname `The Kid’ captured how Gary approached life,” the Mets said in a statement. “He did everything with enthusiasm and with gusto on and off the field. His smile was infectious. … He was a Hall of Famer in everything he did.”

Carter played nearly two decades with the Mets, Montreal, San Francisco and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He led the Expos to their only playoff berth and was the first player enshrined in Cooperstown wearing an Expos cap.

Carter was known as much for his effervescent personality as his talents at the plate and behind it. He earned his nickname as an eager teen in his first major league camp and the label stuck for the rest of his career, and beyond.

“An exuberant on-field general with a signature smile who was known for clutch hitting and rock-solid defense over 19 seasons,” reads his Hall plaque.

The bronze plaque shows him with a toothy grin, too, forever the Kid.

“Gary was one of the happiest guys in the world every day,” Mets teammate Mookie Wilson once said.

With curly, blond locks flaring out from beneath his helmet, and a rigid, upright batting stance, Carter was immediately recognizable at the plate.

He was especially enthused during the biggest moment of his career. The powerful Mets were down to their last chance in the `86 Series when Carter stepped up with two outs. No one was on base and New York was trailing Boston 5-3 in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game 6.

Carter said he had just one thought in mind: “I wasn’t going to make the last out of the World Series.”

True to his word, he delivered a clean single to left field off Red Sox reliever Calvin Schiraldi. Kevin Mitchell followed with a single and when Ray Knight also singled, Carter scampered home from second base.

As Carter crossed the plate, he clapped his hands, pointed at Wilson on deck and clapped again. Moments later, Bill Buckner’s error scored Knight for an amazing 6-5 win. Carter rushed from the dugout to join the celebration at home plate, catcher’s gear already on.

Overshadowed by the rally was the fact that Carter had tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Then in Game 7, Carter drove in the tying run in the sixth inning, and the Mets went on to win their most recent championship.

Carter homered twice over the Green Monster at Fenway Park in Game 4 and totaled nine RBIs in that Series. Since then, only two players have gotten more in a World Series (Mike Napoli for Texas in 2011 and Sandy Alomar Jr. for Cleveland in 1997 each had 10).

Overall, Carter hit .262 with 324 home runs and 1,225 RBIs with the Expos, Mets, San Francisco and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He set the major league record for putouts by a catcher, a testament to his durability despite nine knee operations.

“Driven by a remarkable enthusiasm for the game, Gary Carter became one of the elite catchers of all-time,” Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. “Like all baseball fans, I will always remember his leadership for the `86 Mets and his pivotal role in one of the greatest World Series ever played.”

Carter twice was the MVP of the All-Star game. He won the award in 1981 by homering twice in baseball’s first game after a players’ strike that lasted two months. He remains the lone player to have a two-homer performance in an All-Star game and a World Series game.

He set the NL record for games caught, but spent his first full season in the majors primarily as Montreal’s right fielder. His first All-Star appearance came that year, in 1975, as a defensive replacement in left field for Pete Rose.

Carter was recognized, too, for his contributions off the field when he was honored with the Roberto Clemente Award.

He hit his first major league homer in September 1974 off future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton as a 20-year-old rookie—Carter homered 11 times against the ace lefty, his top victim.

Carter spent his first 11 years with the Expos and was part of a solid core that put them into the 1981 playoffs. They beat the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies in a new first round created after the strike split the season into two halves, but lost to the Dodgers in the NL championship series.

A perennial fan favorite, Carter returned to Montreal in 1992 for one final season. His last swing was a memorable one—he hit an RBI double in the seventh inning at Olympic Stadium, left for a pinch-runner to a huge ovation from the home crowd and walked away after that 1-0 win over the Cubs.

Carter was elected to the Hall in 2003 on his sixth try. He had joked that he wanted his Cooperstown cap to be a half-and-halfer, split between the Expos and Mets. The Hall makes the ultimate call on the logo.

Carter pleased Canadian fans by delivering part of his induction speech in French. Born and raised in California, he took a Berlitz course to help him learn the ****uage after the Expos drafted him.

The Expos traded him to the Mets after the 1984 season for Hubie Brooks, Mike Fitzgerald, Herm Winningham and Floyd Youmans. Carter turned out to be one of the last missing pieces on a New York team that already had the likes of Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden and Keith Hernandez.

He made an immediate impression—it just took a little extra to get it right in his Mets debut in 1985. In the season opener at Shea Stadium, Carter took strike three, had a passed ball that gave St. Louis a run and watched Cardinals pitcher Joaquin Andujar steal a base against him.

But in the bottom of the 10th inning, Carter hit a home run that won the game and drew a standing ovation plus chants of “Gary! Gary! Gary!”

“What a way to start,” Carter said with a grin afterward. “Hit by a pitch, strike out looking, a stolen base, a passed ball and then the home run.”

“There’s not enough words to describe what it feels like,” he said. “I’ll certainly remember this the rest of my life.”

It wasn’t the only time he bounced back from a rugged start. Slumping badly in the 1986 NL championship series, Carter hit a winning single in the bottom of the 12th to beat Houston in Game 5, putting the Mets within one win of the World Series.

A two-sport athlete as a boy, Carter won the 7-year-old national division of the NFL’s first Punt, Pass & Kick skills competition in 1961. He was a pitcher and shortstop in Little League and switched to catching in high school after a scout suggested it was the fastest path to the big leagues, turning down a chance to play football at UCLA.

Carter stayed in baseball after his playing days ended. He became a broadcaster for the Florida Marlins, coached and managed for the Mets in the minors, managed two independent minor league teams and coached in college.

The only hint of negative publicity Carter drew came a few years ago when he appeared to be campaigning for the Mets’ managing job though it was already filled.

Carter, however, always had a winning touch. At the ballpark or away, he greeted fans with a hearty handshake—many marveling at how his big right hand had swallowed up theirs.

After his diagnosis, the Mets began playing a highlight reel of Carter’s accomplishments on the video board during games at Citi Field and posted this message: “Our thoughts are with you Gary. From your millions of fans and the New York Mets.”

At the Hall ceremonies in July, new inductee Bert Blyleven mentioned Carter. “Gary, keep battling the way that you always have,” he said to the crowd.

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt said Carter continued to inspire him in later years. In a 2006 column for The Associated Press, the former Phillies star recalled the pure elation that enveloped Carter when he was voted into Cooperstown.

“No player ever appreciated that call to the extent he did. The joy it brought him, his family, and friends, especially me, was so real and pleasantly genuine, I ate it up and still do,” Schmidt wrote.

“He does not take it for granted. He will wear his emotion, from this election, on his sleeve the rest of his life,” he wrote. “His induction actually made me appreciate mine all the more.”