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

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s betting tips: Celtics set to swap Rondo?

Who’s hot

NBA: San Antonio is 11-3-1 against the spread in its last 15 overall.

NBA: The under is 19-3 in the last 22 meetings between Memphis and Toronto.

NHL: The under is 37-13-10 in the New York Rangers’ last 60 road games.

NHL: Ottawa has won six of its last seven.

NCAAB: Akron is 28-12 against the number in its last 40 overall.

NCAAB: Notre Dame is 8-3 against the spread in its last 11.

Who’s not

NBA: Milwaukee is 2-8 against the spread in its last 10 overall.

NBA: The Boston Celtics are 3-13 against the spread in their last 16, dropping them to 13-21 against the spread this season.

NHL: Chicago is 5-12 in its last 17.

NHL: Calgary is 2-20-3 in its last 25 games in Anaheim.

NCAAB: Harvard is 3-6 against the spread in its last nine.

NCAAB: Butler is 1-7-1 against the number in its last nine games against Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Key stat

75.1 – Notre Dame is averaging 75.1 points per game at home this season, up from its 67.1-point overall average on the year. The Irish definitely could use the comforts at home right now. They have dropped consecutive games, averaging only 49.5 points per game in road losses at St. John’s and Georgetown. Notre Dame, 6-2-2 against the spread at home this season, hosts Providence as an 11-point favorite Friday.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks - Nowitzki left Wednesday's game at Memphis due to lower-back tightness and is considered questionable for Friday’s game against the Hornets. Nowitzki played only 9 1/2 minutes and scored one point Wednesday, attempting only one shot, before leaving the game early in the second quarter. The reigning NBA Finals MVP entered the game averaging 19.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He had been on a tear in his previous five games, averaging 27.4 points and 11.0 rebounds.

Game of the day

Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns (2, 196)

Notable quotable

"You try not to touch the other guys too much. Not much shaking hands or patting on the back. They have those sheets around here to wash your hands. Use soap and hope for the best." – Newly-acquired Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mike Commodore on battling the flu bug that has hit at least 11 members of the organization. Coach Guy Boucher was so sick in Tampa’s game against Montreal on Tuesday that he brought a bucket with him behind the bench. Tampa Bay hosts the New York Rangers Friday.

Notes and tips

According to ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard, the Boston Celtics are actively trying to trade point guard Rajon Rondo. Broussard reports that the Celtics, not considered to be a playoff contender at this point in the season, have grown tired of Rondo’s distractions both on and off the court. The 26-year-old was suspended two games earlier this month for throwing a ball at an official and routinely squabbles with head coach Doc Rivers. Rondo picked up his third triple-double of the season Wednesday and is averaging a career-high 14.1 points per game. The Celtics host the Nets Friday.

Manny Ramirez will serve as the Oakland Athletics’ designated hitter when the club opens Cactus League play Friday against Seattle. Ramirez has to sit out 50 regular season games after being booked for his second positive PED test, but is eligible in exhibition play.

Davis Love III used a hole-in-one to vault to the top of the leaderboard Thursday after the first round of the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Love, now set at +2000 to win the tournament, shot a 6-under-par 64 that gave him a two-shot lead over an eight-player contingent that included world No. 2 Rory McIlroy (+350). Tiger Woods (+2200) was unable to build on a birdie at the first hole and carded four bogeys in his round of 71 that left him seven shots off the lead.

[StarDust Bum]

Pick 'n' roll: Friday's best NBA bets

Oddsmakers have yet to release odds for the Golden State-Philadelphia matchup. Pick should be considered an early lean.

Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks (-6, 189.5)

The All-Star break and the return of leading scorer Joe Johnson did little to help to help the Atlanta Hawks snap out of their offensive malaise. Maybe the sight of the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night will provide a spark for Atlanta.

The Hawks absorbed an 85-82 home loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. It was the fourth defeat in an ugly five-game stretch in which Atlanta has failed to surpass 83 points.

Despite getting double-doubles from three players in the loss to Golden State, Atlanta closed out the month of February with a 4-9 overall record and 2-5 mark at home.

Johnson missed the final two games prior to the All-Star break with a sore knee, and admitted he was not 100 percent Wednesday. He finished with 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting.

Johnson reached 20 points only once last month and struggled from behind the arc, connecting on 15 of 57 attempts in 11 games.

Pick: Under

Golden State Warriors at Philadelphia 76ers (N/A)

An inability to win on their home floor has caused the Philadelphia 76ers' lead in the Atlantic Division to dwindle to only three games over the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. Losers of six of seven overall and four straight at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia looks to get back on track when it hosts the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.

The continued absence of center Spencer Hawes (Achilles) was a big factor in Philadelphia's 92-88 loss to Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

His replacements, Lavoy Allen and Nikola Vucevic, combined for two points, six rebounds and six fouls. The Sixers were also manhandled on the glass (56-39) and saw the Thunder attempt nearly three times as many free throws (34 to 12).

Philadelphia has gone 12-2 with Hawes and 9-13 without him. He is not expected to return until March 12.

Pick: Warriors

[StarDust Bum]

College funds: Friday's best NCAAB bets

Providence Friars at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-11, 130)

This isn’t exactly the way the Notre Dame Fighting Irish wanted to head into their regular-season finale.

The Irish have dropped two games in a row, both straight up and against the spread, and are showing some major issues on offense.

Notre Dame hit just seven of 48 trey attempts in those two games, but coach Mike Brey tried to stay positive about the slump.

“I think it’s great,” Brey told reporters after Georgetown pounded the visiting Irish 59-41. “I think it comes at a good time. It’s a nice wake-up (call) after an unbelievable run for us. We may be a little human.”

The good news for Irish supporters is that a win Friday will give the club a bye through the first two rounds of the Big East Tournament.

Notre Dame has been an excellent home team all season, going 6-2-2 against the number and Brey will have his troops ready to bounce back Friday.

Pick: Irish

Harvard Crimson at Columbia Lions (8, 116)

All of a sudden things have gotten very testy for the Harvard Crimson.

Not long ago, it looked as though they were going to cruise to an Ivy League title, but now they need two wins this weekend just to guarantee them a share of the conference title.

Last weekend, Pennsylvania shocked Harvard 55-54 with the Crimson set as 11-point favorites. Harvard hit just two of 11 shots from downtown and struggled to contain the Quakers’ offense.

That same sort of offense could be an issue Friday as well.

“I’m concerned because they’re similar in ways to what Penn can do, which is to spread you out and dribble drive,” Harvard coach Tommy Amaker told reporters about facing Columbia. “The kid Barbour is very, very good off the bounce. Instead of trying to run their plays, [they might say], ‘Let’s just open the floor up and see if we can drive it by them.’ That’s what I anticipate they’ll look to do.”

This could be another grind for the Crimson.

Pick: Under

[Kaptain]

thanks for putting the early ONES OUT EARLY BUM

[myrjimmy3]

thanks bum with u on cofc

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, March 1

Kent State (+4.5) lost 84-75 at Akron Jan 21, as Harney came off bench and scored 21 points in 14 minutes, in game Flashes led by 8 at the half. Akron lost three of last four games after an 8-game winning streak; they are 1-2 as MAC road dog, losing last two away games, at Oral Roberts by 6, at Ohio by 24. Kent also lost three of last four games; they're 4-3 as MAC home favorite, covering their last three home games. MAC home favorites of 5 or less points are 9-6 against the spread.

CAA tournament
NC-Wilmington (-3) lost 69-61 at home to James Madison Jan 18, with both teams making less than half their foul shots. Seahawks are 20-55 in CAA play last four years, losing all three games in CAA tournament by 13-17-6 points. UNCW lost its last six games- they're only team to lose to Towson State this season. James Madison is 2-8 in this tournament last eight years, 2-6 in this round; Dukes split their last four games, but are 1-6 vs spread last seven times they were favored.

Towson State lost twice to Delaware this season, 62-43 (+13) on road Jan 23, then 76-69 (+9) at home nine days ago. Tigers are 1-30, 1-17 in CAA; before going 1-36 in league play last two years, Tigers had won at least one game CAA tourney the four years before that. Delaware is 5-4 in this round of CAA tourney the last nine years; they've won last eight games (6-2 vs spread) with win over Towson one of two games they did not cover. Delaware is 4-2 as a CAA favorite this season.

Wm & Mary is 6-4 in this event the last four years, with all six wins by 5 or less points. Northeastern has one win in last three CAA tourneys, bowing out each year by 4-2-2 points. Teams split a pair of home court wins this season; Huskies (-10.5) won 64-50 Jan 14, lost 79-54 (+5.5) Feb 11. Northeastern lost six of its last eight games; they're 3-5 against spread as a CAA favorite. Tribe lost 12 of last 14 games, but covered four of last five; they're 8-8-1 as a conference underdog.

Georgia State (-3.5) came north and whacked Hofstra 59-43 Feb 4, with Pride shooting 29% from floor, 3-22 from arc. Over the last seven years, Hofstra is 5-2 in this round of CAA tourney, but they've usually had a good team. This is first time Georgia State was over .500 in CAA play- they're 4-2 in this round, with both losses by one point; Panthers split their last four CAA games, were 0-5 vs spread in last five- they're 3-8 v spread in last eleven games as a CAA favorite.


Missouri Valley tournament
High expectations for Wichita State squad that is 45-14 in league play last three years, but hasn't won conference tourney; Shockers won twice against Indiana State this season, 75-65 (-6.5) in Terre Haute Jan 15, and 71-66 (-16) at home Feb 4. Sycamores won this tournament LY; they're 0-6 last six times they played in this round after winning the day before, with losses by 1-15-18-21-22-4 points. State played nine guys double figure minutes last nite, with only two guys playing more than 27:00.

Northern Iowa won Arch Madness two of last three years, won its first tourney game three of last four years, with that game decided by 5 or less points four of last five years. Panthers lost MVC opener 65-61 (-1) in Normal Dec 29, then won rematch 78-63 (-6) at home Feb 11. Illinois State has tournament bye for first time in seven years; Redbirds are 5-4 in this event last four years- they're 0-7 vs spread in last seven games as an MVC underdog. Northern Iowa is 5-7 as an MVC favorite.

Evansville beat Missouri State twice this year, upsetting Bears 87-82 as 10.5-point road dog Jan 15, then beating them 75-70 in OT six days ago, in game they trailed by 8 at half. Over last nine years, Missouri State is 5-1 in this round when they had a bye, winning by 14-9-8-3-2 points, but they've lost last four games,and are 2-9 vs spread in last 11 games. . Evansville lost its first game in this tourney last five years, by 5-23-8-6-2 points; they're 8-0 vs spread as a conference underdog.

Drake won four of its last six games; only time they advanced past this round in last nine MVC tourneys was when they won it four years ago. Bulldogs got off to 12-0 start last night in 65-49 win vs woeful Bradley, holding Braves to 34% from floor. Creighton won its first tourney game last three years, by 12-19-15 points; Bluejays won last four games, but last three wins were by combined total of four points. Drake played three guys 34+ minutes last night, with four subs playing 10+ minutes.


WCC tournament
BYU makes its debut in WCC tourney after being 8-5 in MVC tourney last five years, played crosstown at UNLV; Cougars won first tourney game last five years, with four wins by 10+ points. San Diego is 5-3 in last eight games, but they lost by 36-19 points vs BYU this year. USD is 10-5 in last 15 WCC tourney games, after an easy 76-54 win last night, when Toreros shot 56% and played only two guys more than 24 minutes. BYU is 3-6 vs spread in its last nine games as a WCC favorite.

LMU beat San Francisco twice this season by total of only three points; 77-76 on road in OT Dec 31, then 90-88 at home Feb 4. Lions finished above .500 in WCC for first time in six years; they're 3-4 in first WCC tourney game, with wins by 3-3-4 points. Lions are 3-4-1 as a WCC favorite. San Francisco is 9-4 in its last 13 games, they're 4-6 SU in this tournament last seven years, with none of losses by more than 8 points. Dons crushed Portland last night, didn't spend lot of energy.


Ohio Valley tournament
Murray State is now 49-7 in last 56 OVC games, but they've lost in this round of OVC tourney three of last four years; Racers won/covered last five games since its only loss of year; they beat Tennessee Tech twice this season, by 8 at home, by 5 in Cookeville six nights ago, game they were down 6 at half. Over last eight years, Tech is 1-4 in this round of OVC tourney, losing by 6-7-3-29 points- they were down 4 with 2:10 left last night, before late 11-0 run got them through to this game.

Tennessee State is 2-8 in OVC tourney last eight years, losing first game last three years, by 14-33-4 points; Tigers had 9-game win streak ended in rematch with Murray State 8 days ago, their last game. Morehead lost 77-72 (+7) at Tennessee State Jan 11, with Tigers making 13-25 behind arc (Covington was 7-9). Over last four years, Morehead State is 8-1 in OVC tourney, with lone loss by 11 in final two years ago- they've won five of last six games, are 5-2 as an OVC underdog.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Short Sheet

Friday's Top College Basketball Trends

NORTHEASTERN is 0-10 ATS revenging a loss where team scored less than 60 points (vs WM & Mary)

CORNELL is 13-1 ATS after a blowout loss by 20 points or more (vs Dartmouth)

DRAKE is 0-8 ATS in road games after having won 2 of their last 3 games (vs Creighton)

KENT ST is 20-3 ATS revenging a same season loss vs opponent (vs Akron)

TENNESSEE TECH is 9-0 ATS in road games when playing only their 3rd game in a week (vs Murrah St)

BUTLER is 11-1 ATS in all neutral court games (vs WI-Milwaukee)

E TENN ST is 0-8 ATS after 2 or more consecutive wins (vs Belmont)

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, March 1

Hot Teams
-- Grizzlies won six of their last seven games. Toronto covered its last four games as a home underdog.
-- Nets covered seven of last nine as a road underdog.
-- Bucks covered five of last seven games as a road underdog.
-- Cleveland is 5-2-2 vs spread in last nine games as a home dog. Bulls covered four of last five games as a road favorite.
-- Houston won eight of last ten at home (7-3 vs spread).
-- Warriors won three of last four games, covered four of last five.
-- Spurs covered six of last eight games as a home favorite.
-- Miami covered its last five games as a road favorite.
-- Clippers are 8-3 in last 11 road games, 6-3 vs spread in last nine. Suns won/covered three of last four home games.
-- Lakers won/covered their last six home games. Kings covered eight of last ten games as a road underdog.

Cold Teams
-- Celtics covered once in last six games as a home favorite.
-- Hawks covered once in last five games as a home favorite.
-- Hornets are 4-9 vs spread in last 13 games as a home underdog. Dallas lost four of its last five games.
-- Nuggets lost last four road games but are 4-1 vs spread in last five.
-- 76ers lost their last four home games.
-- Bobcats are 4-7 vs spread in last 11 games as a road underdog.
-- Jazz lost four of their last five games.

Back-to-Back
-- Miami is 4-6 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Clippers are 6-2 vs spread if they played night before; teams are 9-1-1 vs spread the night after playing Sacramento. Phoenix is 3-0 vs spread if it won the night before.

Wear-and-Tear
-- Grizzlies: 2nd game/3 nites. Raptors: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Nets: Had last two nites off. Celtics: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Bucks: 3rd game/4 nites. Hawks: 2nd game/3 nites.
-- Bulls: 3rd game/4 nites. Cavaliers: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Mavericks: 3rd game/4 nites. Hornets: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Nuggets: 2nd game/3 nites. Rockets: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Warriors: 3rd game/4 nites. 76ers: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Bobcats: 2nd game/3 nites. Spurs: 2nd game/3 nites.
-- Heat: 2nd nite in row. Jazz: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Clippers: 3rd game/4 nites. Suns: 2nd nite in row.
-- Kings: 3rd game/4 nites. Lakers: 2nd game/3 nites.

Totals
-- Seven of last nine Toronto home games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Boston home games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Milwaukee road games went over the total.
-- 10 of last 13 Cleveland home games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Dallas road games went over the total.
-- Seven of last ten Houston home games stayed under total.
-- Under is 9-4 in Philadelphia's last 13 home games.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in Spurs' last nine home games.
-- Four of last six Miami games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Clipper road games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Sacramento games went over total.

[StarDust Bum]

03/02/2012 @ 04:15 PM

NBA

[802] TORONTO +3½ 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 04:35 PM

NBA

[803] NEW JERSEY +6 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 04:35 PM

NBA

[805] MILWAUKEE +4 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 05:05 PM

NBA

[810] NEW ORLEANS +7 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 05:05 PM

NBA

[813] GOLDEN STATE +7½ 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 05:35 PM

NBA

[815] TOTAL o197½ 1.91
(CHARLOTTE vrs SAN ANTONIO)



03/02/2012 @ 06:05 PM

NBA

[817] MIAMI -4½ 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 07:35 PM

NBA

[821] SACRAMENTO +10 1.91

[StarDust Bum]

03/02/2012 @ 04:10 pm

cbb

[823] akron +4 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 04:10 pm

cbb

[827] harvard -7½ 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 04:10 pm

cbb

[830] cornell -9 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 04:10 pm

cbb

[836] notre dame -10½ 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 04:05 pm

cbb

[852] creighton -9½ 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 06:35 pm

cbb

[854] evansville +2 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 06:00 pm

cbb

[859] san francisco -2 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 05:30 pm

cbb

[869] tennessee chat +1½ 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 04:00 pm

cbb

[871] tennessee tech +8 1.91



03/02/2012 @ 04:00 pm

cbb

[879] w michigan -2½ 1.91

[StarDust Bum]

03/02/2012 @ 04:05 PM

NHL

[1] CHICAGO 2.20



03/02/2012 @ 04:05 PM

NHL

[3] NEW JERSEY 2.15



03/02/2012 @ 04:35 PM

NHL

[6] TAMPA BAY +1½ 1.39



03/02/2012 @ 04:35 PM

NHL

[7] MINNESOTA +1½ 1.83



03/02/2012 @ 06:35 PM

NHL

[10] TOTAL u5½ 1.83
(DALLAS vrs EDMONTON)



03/02/2012 @ 07:05 PM

NHL

[12] ANAHEIM -1½ 2.70