Thursday's Trends and Indexes - 3/22 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

Trends and Indexes

Thursday, March 22

Good Luck on day #82 of 2012!

At this time, the sports menu in this thread consists of NBA, NCAAB and NHL until their seasons are played out. Also, general sports news and notes will be posted.

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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Matchup Links

NBA Matchups

NBA Hot and Not

NBA Injuries

NBA Referees

NCAAB Matchups

NCAAB Hot and Not

NCAAB Injuries

NHL Matchups

NHL Injuries

NHL Hot and Not

NASCAR Schedules

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[Udog]

Thursday’s betting tips: Milwaukee Bucks keep cashing

Who’s hot

NCAAB: The over is 8-1 in Ohio State’s last nine.

NCAAB: Louisville has covered in six straight games.

NBA: Milwaukee has covered the number in eight consecutive games.

NBA: Sacramento is 4-0 against the spread in its last four meetings with Utah.

NHL: Colorado is 5-0-1 in its last six.

NHL: Pittsburgh has won 24 of its last 30.

Who’s not

NCAAB: The under is 18-38 in Florida’s last 55 overall.

NCAAB: Syracuse is 2-7 against the spread in its last nine.

NBA: Portland is 3-7 against the spread in its last 10 home games.

NBA: Boston is 3-11 against the spread in its last 14 road games.

NHL: San Jose has won five of its last 19.

NHL: Minnesota has won one of its last six home games.

Key stat

8 – The Cincinnati Bearcats lead the nation with eight victories over ranked opponents this season and head into Thursday’s matchup with Ohio State having covered the spread in eight of their last nine overall. Cincinnati is pegged as a 7.5-point underdog.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs - Parker left Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with tightness in his left hamstring. Parker had two points and six assists before exiting the game in the first half. The team said he would not return. The 29-year-old All-Star entered Wednesday's game averaging a team-high 20.0 points and 8.0 assists.

Game of the day

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Syracuse Orange (-3.5, 120.5)

Notable quotable

“We got our guys to this point by pressing and running, and we're not going to change because the other team may be a little better on the backboard and try to take possessions away. So we're going to run with them. They obviously are the better backboard team. But we're going to make it that type of basketball game. So we do not want to play slow against Michigan State.” – Louisville Cardinals coach Rick Pitino about his club’s matchup with Michigan State Thursday. Oddsmakers have Louisville set as a 5-point underdog with a 125.5-point total on the board.

Notes and tips

Minnesota Wild captain Mikko Koivu will return Thursday night against the Calgary Flames, general manager Chuck Fletcher announced Wednesday. Koivu has missed 15 consecutive games and 23 of the past 27 contests with a shoulder injury. The 29-year-old has 10 goals and 27 assists in 45 games for Minnesota this season.

Tiger Woods is set as a +800 favorite to win the Arnold Palmer International, which begins Thursday at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. However, Woods appeared to injure his back on the sixth hole during Wednesday’s pro-am. "I guess one of the so-called professional photographers took a picture right in the middle of my downswing," Woods told reporters. "I stopped it, and then felt a pretty good twinge in my back. Walked it off and then tried to hit one down there, hit it in the fairway, but didn't feel very good. But after a couple of holes it loosened up and I'm good to go now."

Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan has been suspended for three games for elbowing Dallas' Jamie Benn. Doan was punished as a repeat offender. He also was suspended three games in October 2010 for a dangerous hit, and last week was fined $2,500 for a boarding penalty. Doan's absence could be costly for Phoenix, which was tied with Los Angeles for eighth place in the Western Conference entering Wednesday's play. The 35-year-old Doan has 21 goals and 26 assists in 74 games this season. Phoenix plays host to Colorado Thursday night, but oddsmakers have yet to set a line for the game.

[Udog]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

-- BenJarvus Green-Ellis left the Patriots to sign with the Bengals. This is the same guy who once transferred from Indiana to Ole Miss. Not often someone leaves the Patriots to go play in Cincinnati.

-- If you're posting odds in Las Vegas, where do you put over/under for the Saints' wins in 2012? 8.5? 9?

-- 76ers are now 0-8 in games decided by 4 or less points.

-- DirecTV will have a 7-channel block for The Masters, including every swing at Amen Corner. Wonder how many people will watch it.

-- On August 31, Milwaukee Brewers will unveil a statue of Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker outside of Miller Park.

-- According to Ted Danson's character on CSI, there are 300 weddings a day in Las Vegas; now those are the real gamblers.


******************


Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Random thoughts after an odd Wednesday

13) As Wednesdays in March go, this was an amazing day for news; the Jets give up two draft picks for Tim Tebow, guaranteeing that they will own the backpages of the NYC tabloids in August, but will it help them own them in December/January?

12) Roger Goodell put the hammer down on the Saints, suspended Sean Payton for a year, the GM for half a year and the assistant head coach who would’ve taken over for Payton for six games. Saints also lose a couple of second round draft picks, which is a severe penalty.

11) Where do I start? The penalties in New Orleans are as much about lying to the league as they are about the bounties. Moral #1 of story: Don't mess with Roger Goodell. He's serious about protecting the NFL's integrity.

Not serious enough to suspend Bill Belichick for Spygate, though.

10) Drew Brees can't be happy; will the team re-sign him before the GM goes on his half-year suspension? Does he even want to be there anymore?

9) Who will coach the Saints? Who will make personnel decisions? You can divide the head coaching position to an extent, letting the coordinators run just their side of the ball, but who makes the key strategic decisions? Who decides when to go for it, when to use an onside kick? Tough call.

8) As for Tebow, how will the Jets use him? As a Wildcat QB, or as a genuine threat to Mark Sanchez?

They just gave Sanchez a contract extension, so its hard to believe they’re out to undermine him, but they have to know Tebow’s presence will create media mayhem if Sanchez struggles at the start of next season.

7) New York papers have to love this, and what about the NFL schedule makers? Their heads have to be spinning like Linda Blair's in The Exorcist; they're probably adding Jet broadcasts and subtracting Saints broadcasts from the national TV schedule, as we speak.

6) Elsewhere on this strangest of spring days (its not often it is 80 degrees in Albany in March), Shaka Smart shunned Illinois and will stay at VCU. Good for him; he’s happy and you don’t mess with happy.

5) One of the names mentioned for the Illinois job is Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin, who has done well in his two jobs, but has never been in the NCAAs- his Volunteers went scoreless for the last 6:00 Monday, as Middle Tennessee ended the game on an unlikely 15-0 run.

Some of these guys keep getting better jobs without actually achieving anything at their previous stop. In my opinion, Martin owes Tennessee more than the two years he’s worked there; his program is making progress. Bolting for Illinois would be a strange thing to do.

4) Duquesne’s basketball program takes a huge hit with three transfers, including their best player, PG McConnell. Kid’s dad says he loves the coach, but he just wants to play at a higher level. If he loves the coach so much, why did he transfer, making it likely the coach will get fired next year? The A-14 is a pretty high level.

Where this kid winds up is going to be very interesting, because poaching of mid-major players is becoming more prevalent in D-I hoops, and it stinks.

3) Arizona State’s leading scorer is also transferring, but because his mother has been diagnosed with cancer and he wants to be closer to their home in Minnesota. We wish the family well.

2) Nebraska is whiffing badly on their coaching search, having already been turned down by the coaches at Wichita-Colorado-Gonzaga; now they’ve turned their sights on the Colorado State coach, who should stay in Fort Collins one more year, because the Rams will be tough again next season. Nebraska is a bad basketball job; they should’ve kept the coach they had.

1) Seriously, someone needs to explain why Belichick was never suspended for Spygate; if Payton gets a year, spying on your opponent before a Super Bowl has to be worth eight games. At least. The commissioner can talk all he wants about integrity, but blatant cheating went unpunished, at least as far as the head coach of the cheating team was concerned.

But a bounty system opens the NFL to lawsuits from injured players, and the league obviously wants no part of being sued anymore.

As a wise man once said, “If you don’t think its about money, remember: Its always about the money.”

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Louisville vs. Michigan State
The Spartans look to take advantage of a Louisville team that is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 neutral site games as an underdog. Michigan State is the pick (-4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Spartans favored by 6 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (-4 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22

Game 813-814: Wisconsin vs. Syracuse (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wisconsin 72.991; Syracuse 72.199
Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 1; 125
Vegas Line: Syracuse by 4; 120
Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (+4); Over

Game 815-816: Cincinnati vs. Ohio State (9:45 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 67.998; Ohio State 77.065
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 9; 126
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 7 1/2; 129 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-7 1/2); Under

Game 817-818: Florida vs. Marquette (10:17 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 71.084; Marquette 69.902
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 149
Vegas Line: Marquette by 2; 145 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+2); Over

Game 819-820: Louisville vs. Michigan State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Louisville 69.205; Michigan State 76.580
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 6 1/2; 120
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 4 1/2; 125
Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (-4 1/2); Under

[Udog]

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Thursday, March 22

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WISCONSIN (26 - 9) vs. SYRACUSE (33 - 2) - 3/22/2012, 7:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SYRACUSE is 42-25 ATS (+14.5 Units) in road games after allowing 60 points or less since 1997.
WISCONSIN is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
WISCONSIN is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.
WISCONSIN is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) after allowing 60 points or less this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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CINCINNATI (26 - 10) vs. OHIO ST (29 - 7) - 3/22/2012, 9:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 32-53 ATS (-26.3 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
OHIO ST is 187-147 ATS (+25.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
OHIO ST is 120-89 ATS (+22.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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FLORIDA (25 - 10) vs. MARQUETTE (27 - 7) - 3/22/2012, 10:17 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MARQUETTE is 36-25 ATS (+8.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MARQUETTE is 36-25 ATS (+8.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
MARQUETTE is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 over the last 3 seasons.
MARQUETTE is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in a neutral court game where the total is 145 to 149.5 since 1997.
MARQUETTE is 46-28 ATS (+15.2 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1997.
MARQUETTE is 28-17 ATS (+9.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MARQUETTE is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
FLORIDA is 92-65 ATS (+20.5 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
FLORIDA is 58-32 ATS (+22.8 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
FLORIDA is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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LOUISVILLE (28 - 9) vs. MICHIGAN ST (29 - 7) - 3/22/2012, 7:47 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MICHIGAN ST is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in all games this season.
MICHIGAN ST is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
MICHIGAN ST is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MICHIGAN ST is 12-5 ATS (+6.5 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game this season.
LOUISVILLE is 39-25 ATS (+11.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOUISVILLE is 39-25 ATS (+11.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
LOUISVILLE is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in all neutral court games this season.
LOUISVILLE is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) when playing on a neutral court this season.
LOUISVILLE is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
LOUISVILLE is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in all tournament games this season.
LOUISVILLE is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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Friday, March 23

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INDIANA (27 - 8) vs. KENTUCKY (34 - 2) - 3/23/2012, 9:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
KENTUCKY is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in a neutral court game where the total is 145 to 149.5 over the last 3 seasons.
KENTUCKY is 36-19 ATS (+15.1 Units) revenging a road loss vs opponent since 1997.
INDIANA is 18-10 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all games this season.
INDIANA is 18-10 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all lined games this season.
INDIANA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
INDIANA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
KENTUCKY is 2-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
KENTUCKY is 2-1 straight up against INDIANA 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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XAVIER (23 - 12) vs. BAYLOR (29 - 7) - 3/23/2012, 7:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BAYLOR is 37-21 ATS (+13.9 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1997.
XAVIER is 92-62 ATS (+23.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
BAYLOR is 1-0 against the spread versus XAVIER over the last 3 seasons
BAYLOR is 1-0 straight up against XAVIER 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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OHIO U (29 - 7) vs. N CAROLINA (31 - 5) - 3/23/2012, 7:47 PM
Top Trends for this game.
N CAROLINA is 125-94 ATS (+21.6 Units) after a non-conference game since 1997.
N CAROLINA is 125-93 ATS (+22.7 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
N CAROLINA is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
N CAROLINA is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
OHIO U is 44-26 ATS (+15.4 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 since 1997.
OHIO U is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
OHIO U is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
OHIO U is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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NC STATE (24 - 12) vs. KANSAS (29 - 6) - 3/23/2012, 10:17 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NC STATE is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in all neutral court games this season.
NC STATE is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in March games this season.
NC STATE is 18-4 ATS (+13.6 Units) in road games on Friday nights since 1997.
NC STATE is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court this season.
NC STATE is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
NC STATE is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
NC STATE is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NC STATE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
NC STATE is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game this season.
KANSAS is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 this season.
KANSAS is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) after allowing 60 points or less this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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[Udog]

NCAAB
Short Sheet

NCAA Tournament Trends

Thursday, 3/22/2012

WISCONSIN vs. SYRACUSE, 7:15 PM - NCAA Tournament - East Regional Semifinals - TD Garden - Boston, MA
WISCONSIN: 5-1 ATS on neutral court
SYRACUSE: 0-5 ATS in the Sweet 16

CINCINNATI vs. OHIO ST, 9:45 PM - NCAA Tournament - East Regional Semifinals - TD Garden - Boston, MA
CINCINNATI: 6-1 ATS off BB wins by 6 pts or less
OHIO ST: 13-4 Under vs. Big East

FLORIDA vs. MARQUETTE, 10:17 PM - NCAA Tournament - West Regional Semifinals - US Airways Ctr - Phoenix, AZ
FLORIDA: 8-1 ATS Away off win by 20+ pts
MARQUETTE: 0-5 ATS after holding prev. opp to 33% shooting or less

LOUISVILLE vs. MICHIGAN ST, 7:47 PM - NCAA Tournament - West Regional Semifinals - US Airways Ctr - Phoenix, AZ
LOUISVILLE: 6-0 ATS on neutral court
MICHIGAN ST: 2-6 ATS as neutral court favorite of 6 pts or less


Friday, 3/23/2012

INDIANA vs. KENTUCKY, 9:45 PM - NCAA Tournament - South Regional Semifinals - Georgia Dome - Atlanta, GA
INDIANA: 8-1 ATS vs. non-conference
KENTUCKY: 14-7 Under off win by 15+

XAVIER vs. BAYLOR, 7:15 PM - NCAA Tournament - South Regional Semifinals - Georgia Dome - Atlanta, GA
XAVIER: 3-0 ATS in Sweet 16 games
BAYLOR: 25-12 Over off ATS win

OHIO U vs. N CAROLINA, 7:47 PM - NCAA Tournament - Midwest Regional Semifinals - E.J. Dome - St. Louis, MO
OHIO U: 6-1 Over off win by 6 pts or less
N CAROLINA: 6-1 ATS in Sweet 16 games

NC STATE vs. KANSAS, 10:17 PM - NCAA Tournament - Midwest Regional Semifinals - E.J. Dome - St. Louis, MO
NC STATE: 6-0 ATS in March
KANSAS: 7-1 Under in Sweet 16 games

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

NCAA Tournament Trends

Syracuse won national title in 2003; since then, they're 0-3 in this round of tournament; they were favored in two of three games, a 1-point dog in the third. Since 2002, #1 seeds are 7-6 vs spread when facing a #4 seed in this round. Wisconsin shoots lot of 3's (20-52 in two games last week), so you'd think they'd be good against a 2-3 zone, but Orange allow foes to make just 30.7% outside arc (#28 in country). Since 2003, Wisconsin is 1-3 in this round, losing by 6-17-7 points- they lost to Marquette by 7, their only game vs Big East opponent this year. Syracuse didn't play a Big Dozen team this year- they were 2-0 against them last season.

Since 2008, Big Dozen teams are 1-7 in this round- they're 1-4 vs spread in last five games as a favorite in this round. Since '05, Big East teams are 11-9 in this round, 4-5 vs spread as an underdog. Ohio State lost in this round as a favorite the last two years; Buckeyes won six of last seven overall, allowing 61 ppg in last four games. Cincinnati is strong defensive team- they're 9-2 in last 11 games, allowing 50-46 points in the two losses. Cincinnati-Ohio State met for national title in both '61/'62, have met just once since, five years ago; over last decade, #2 seeds are 4-3-1 vs spread when facing a 6-seed in this round.

Since 2004, SEC teams are 9-4 in this round, covering seven of nine as an underdog. Since '05, Big East teams are 11-9 in this round; they're 5-9 vs spread in last 14 games as a favorite in this round. #3 seeds covered five of last seven games in this round when not facing a #2 seed. Overall, #3's are 7-7 vs spread as an underdog in this round. Florida is 3-0 this round over last six years, winning by 4-8-9 points. Gators lost to Syracuse and Rutgers in their two games vs Big East foes this season. Marquette beat Ole Miss by 30, lost by 17 to Vandy in its two games this year against SEC teams. Florida won its games last weekend by 26-34 points.

Louisville won last three games in this round, by 14-19-39 points; they were favored in all three games. Since 2003, Cardinals are 0-4 vs spread in NCAAs as an underdog, losing by 15-3-10-15 points. Michigan State won four of last five games in this round, despite being underdog in four of five games. Louisville is 6-0 over last two weekends, allowing 54 ppg in last four; they scored 56 or less points in its last four losses. Spartans won five in row, 12 of last 14 games; since '08, Big Dozen teams are 2-7 in this round, 2-4 vs spread as a favorite. Michigan State holds foes to just 29.6% shooting behind the arc (13th in country).

[Udog]

NCAAB

Thursday, March 22

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Trend Report
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7:15 PM
WISCONSIN vs. SYRACUSE
No trends available
Syracuse is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games
Syracuse is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games

7:47 PM
LOUISVILLE vs. MICHIGAN STATE
No trends available
Michigan State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Michigan State's last 6 games

9:45 PM
CINCINNATI vs. OHIO STATE
No trends available
Ohio State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Ohio State's last 9 games

10:17 PM
FLORIDA vs. MARQUETTE
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Marquette's last 11 games
Marquette is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games


Friday, March 23

7:15 PM
XAVIER vs. BAYLOR
No trends available
Baylor is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baylor's last 6 games

7:47 PM
OHIO vs. NORTH CAROLINA
No trends available
North Carolina is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games

9:45 PM
INDIANA vs. KENTUCKY
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Kentucky's last 11 games when playing Indiana
Kentucky is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing Indiana

10:17 PM
NORTH CAROLINA STATE vs. KANSAS
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas's last 6 games
Kansas is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games


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[Udog]

NCAAB

Thursday, March 22

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NCAA previews & picks: Florida vs. Marquette
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No. 7 Florida Gators vs. No. 3 Marquette Golden Eagles (-1.5, 146)

THE STORY: It should be a fast-paced matchup when Marquette meets Florida in a West Regional semifinal in Phoenix. The third-seeded Golden Eagles and seventh-seeded Gators cruised through the NCAA tournament’s first weekend, but this will be a significant step up in competition for both. Florida likes to use a guard-oriented attack to spread the court and shoot a lot of 3-pointers, while Marquette thrives in the open court and can put up points in a hurry.

TV: 10:17 p.m. ET, TBS

ABOUT FLORIDA (25-10): The Gators dispatched of Virginia and Norfolk State by a combined 60 points last weekend, looking like one of the tournament’s most dominant teams in the process. But the quality of opponents they’ve faced is still a big question mark, so Marquette will be the first true test. Florida is outsized against most teams, but that won’t be the case. Instead, the Gators will have to get their shooters open against the Golden Eagles’ quick defenders. Guard Kenny Boynton ranks sixth in the country with 107 made 3-pointers, while guards Erving Walker and Bradley Beal and forward Erik Murphy have all connected on at least 56 3-pointers.

ABOUT MARQUETTE (27-7): The Golden Eagles don’t start any player taller than 6 feet 7, but they more than make up for it with speed, toughness and a relentless pace. In its first two games, Marquette eventually wore down BYU and Murray State, beating both by at least nine points. The key to the Golden Eagles’ style is 6-foot-6 senior Jae Crowder, a bull of a forward who was the Big East Player of the Year. Crowder, who’s averaging 21 points and 14.5 rebounds in the tournament, presents matchup problems for virtually every team with his ability to both bang down low and step out and knock down the 3-pointer. Darius Johnson-Odom, a senior guard who ferociously attacks the rim, is the team’s leading scorer at 18.5 points.

TRENDS:

* Gators are 5-1 ATS in their last six NCAA tournament games.
* Golden Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last five NCAA tournament games.
* Over is 8-2 in Gators' last 10 NCAA tournament games.
* Under is 4-1 in Golden Eagles' last five NCAA tournament games.

TIP-INS:

1. The only two meetings came during a home-and-home series in 1976 and 1977. Marquette won both.

2. Crowder, who averages 17.6 points and 8.4 rebounds, has 14 double-doubles this season.

3. Florida is 31-12 all-time in the NCAA tournament, including a 27-9 mark under coach Billy Donovan.

Pick: Marquette


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NCAAB

Thursday, March 22

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NCAA previews & picks: Wisconsin vs. Syracuse
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No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers vs. No. 1 Syracuse Orange (-3.5, 120.5)

THE STORY: Under Bo Ryan, Wisconsin has qualified for the NCAA tournament 11 straight times and survived five opening weekends. But only once - in 2005 - have the Badgers advanced to the Elite Eight. If the Badgers hope to make a return, they’ll have to get past top-seeded Syracuse in an East Regional semifinal in Boston. The Orange are making their fourth Sweet 16 appearance since 2003, the year they won the national championship.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT SYRACUSE (33-2): When the NCAA declared sophomore center Fab Melo ineligible prior to the start of the tournament, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim noted his team would have to rely on its depth if it hoped to advance. So far, the Orange have gotten strong contributions from the majority of their roster as six players are averaging 10 or more points and the bench has outscored opponents 64-18. After shaking off No. 16 seed UNC-Asheville in its first game, Syracuse blasted eighth-seeded Kansas State 75-59. Dion Waiters scored a game-high 18 points against Kansas State, and Rakeem Christmas, who played a season-high 35 minutes, had eight points and 11 rebounds. Syracuse is 2-1 against Big Ten teams in the last five years and hasn’t played a Big Ten opponent in an NCAA tournament game in more than a decade.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (26-9): After a 1-3 start in the Big Ten, which included a pair of home losses, expectations were tempered for this year’s Wisconsin team. But the Badgers bounced back, earned a fourth-place conference finish and are dreaming of their first Final Four since 2000. Wisconsin is only 2-5 against Big East opponents in the last five years, with five of those games against Marquette. The Badgers have won six of their last seven, which includes a victory over Ohio State, who they could face in the Elite Eight. Wisconsin has attempted 748 3-pointers, an average of 21 per game, and will need to convert them against the Orange, whose signature 2-3 zone could give them trouble. The No. 4 seed Badgers advanced after holding off Vanderbilt 60-57.

TRENDS:

* Badgers are 4-1 ATS in their last five NCAA tournament games.
* Orange are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 non-conference games.
* Over is 8-3 in Badgers' last 11 overall.
* Under is 4-1 in Orange's last five overall.

TIP-INS:

1. Wisconsin is 5-7 against Top 25 teams.

2. Jordan Taylor, who averages a team-high 14.7 points for Wisconsin, has scored 31 points through the first two rounds.

3. Boeheim is 4-11 all-time in the Sweet 16.

Pick: Wisconsin


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NCAAB

Thursday, March 22

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NCAA previews & picks: Louisville vs. Michigan State
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No. 4 Louisville Cardinals vs. No. 1 Michigan State Spartans (-5, 125.5)

THE STORY: Top-seeded Michigan State got all it could handle from No. 9 seed Saint Louis in Sunday's third round before prevailing, 65-61 behind the second-half heroics of senior All-American Draymond Green and sophomore guard Keith Appling. Fourth-seeded Louisville had an equally tough test in its second game of the weekend, holding on down the stretch for a 59-56 victory over New Mexico on Saturday. The Spartans and Cardinals are in the top three in field-goal percentage defense.

TV: 7:47 p.m. ET, TBS

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (28-9): The Cardinals have built their success this season on defense, ranking third nationally in opponent shooting percentage (37.9) and seventh in steals (9.0), and that has certainly carried over into the postseason. Louisville, which also forces 15.6 turnovers per contest, held New Mexico to 5 for 18 from 3-point range Saturday after allowing Davidson to hit 4 of 19 from behind the arc in Thursday's second round. Six players average 9.1 points or more for Louisville, including senior point guard Peyton Siva (9.2 points, 5.5 assists), the Big East tournament MVP, and sophomore center Gorgui Dieng (9.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.1 blocks).

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (29-7): The Spartans have been extremely tough defensively, holding opponents to 59.4 points on 37.9 percent shooting from the field (second in NCAA). Michigan State is also fifth in the country in rebounding margin (8.3), besting second-round foe LIU Brooklyn on the boards by a staggering 43-20. Green has been the team's driving force, earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors after leading Michigan State in scoring (16.3), rebounding (10.5) and steals (1.5) while also ranking among the Big Ten leaders in assists. Appling, who scored a team-high 19 points against Saint Louis, is the only other Michigan State player in double figures for the year (11.5 points). Michigan State won the last meeting 64-52 in the 2009 NCAA Midwest Regional final.

TRENDS:

* Cardinals are 0-6 ATS in their last six vs. Big Ten.
* Spartans are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 NCAA tournament games as favorites.
* Under is 5-0 in Cardinals' last five NCAA tournament games.
* Over is 4-1 in Spartans' last five NCAA tournament games.

TIP-INS:

1. Louisville leads the series 4-3, but Michigan State has won three of the last four. The 2009 tournament meeting was the schools' only one since the turn of the century.

2. The Cardinals' first game with Michigan State was also an NCAA tournament showdown, with Louisville winning a 1959 regional final 88-81.

3. Since the NCAA began officially tracking assists in 1984-85, Green is the only player to ever post two triple-doubles in tournament play.

Pick: Louisville


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NCAAB

Thursday, March 22

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NCAA previews & picks: Cincinnati vs. Ohio State
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No. 6 Cincinnati Bearcats vs. No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (-8, 129)

THE STORY: While a brawl with cross-town rival Xavier may have been a turning point in Cincinnati’s season, the Bearcats have fostered animosity toward another in-state rival, Ohio State. For only the second time in 50 years, the two schools will meet on the hardwood, this time in the Sweet 16. In the last meeting, Ohio State crushed downtrodden Cincinnati 72-50 in the 2006 Wooden Tradition. The Bearcats, who are in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2001, finally get their shot at revenge.

TV: 9:45 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT OHIO STATE (29-7): Second-seeded Ohio State is seeking to get over the hump after losing in the regional semifinals in each of the last two seasons. All-Big Ten sophomore forward Jared Sullinger scored 18 points, including the go-ahead jump-hook, in a 73-66 victory over seventh-seeded Gonzaga on Saturday. Sullinger’s matchup against Cincinnati big man Yancy Gates will be pivotal, but he won't be lacking for support. Sophomore forward DeShaun Thomas is averaging 24.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in two tournament games, and Big Ten defensive Player of the Year Aaron Craft recorded his first-career double-double with 17 points and 10 assists against the Bulldogs. Craft is regarded as the best on-the-ball defender in the nation, but the Bearcats don't commit many mistakes (10.7 turnovers per game,15th).

ABOUT CINCINNATI (26-10): The sixth-seeded Bearcats advanced to the Sweet 16 with a gritty 62-56 victory over third-seeded Florida State on Sunday. Dion Dixon scored 15 points, including a key steal and go-ahead dunk in the final two minutes. Cincinnati, the worst free-throw shooting team in the Big East (64.4), hit 19 of 23 from the line, including eight straight to seal the win. Despite utilizing a four-guard lineup, the Bearcats are one of the most physical teams in the nation thanks to the presence of Gates. The senior is averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two tournament games. He will be counted on to neutralize the sixth-most efficient offense (1.17 points per possession), according to Ken Pomeroy. Cincinnati hasn't reached the Elite Eight since 1996. Prior to 2006, the teams hadn't met since the Bearcats won to back-to-back national titles over the Buckeyes in 1961-62.

TRENDS:

* Bearcats are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games overall.
* Buckeyes are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 NCAA tournament games as favorites.
* Under is 4-1 in Bearcats' last five NCAA tournament games.
* Over is 8-1 in Buckeyes' last nine overall.

TIP-INS:

1. “The contract (to play Ohio State) was signed by the outgoing athletic director two weeks after Bob Huggins was fired. Surmise what you want to surmise on that one.” – Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin, speaking last summer about the timing of the most recent meeting with the Buckeyes.

2. Expect a defensive battle. Ohio State is first in Pomeroy’s defensive efficiency ratings (.084 points per possession), and Cincinnati is 22nd (0.91).

3. The winner will face top-seeded Syracuse or No. 4 seed Wisconsin in Saturday's East Regional final.

Pick: Cincinnati


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NCAAB

Thursday, March 22

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Fullcourt report: Sweet 16 betting news and notes
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East Region

The East held form in the top half of the bracket with No. 1-seed Syracuse and No. 4-seed Wisconsin advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. From the bottom half, No. 2-seed Ohio State is still alive with No. 6-seed Cincinnati rounding out the group. There were no upsets in the East in the first eight games played as the higher seed won every game and we only saw one upset in the Round of 32 when No. 6-seed Cincinnati beat No. 3-seed Florida State 62-56 as a 2-point underdog. However, of the top seeds, only Wisconsin made it through with a perfect 2-0 against the spread (ATS) record as Syracuse and Ohio State both went 1-1 ATS last week.

Ohio State is a solid 8-point favorite over Cincinnati on Thursday night, but the Bearcats have been on a terrific pointspread run since the second week of February, going 10-3 ATS over their last 13 games, including a 4-2 ATS mark as an underdog. Syracuse is a 3.5-point favorite over Wisconsin in the first game on Thursday.

Unlike Cincinnati, the Orangemen are on a terrible pointspread run at just 5-11 ATS over their last 16 games. However, Syracuse has won 14 of those 16 games straight up, with nine of those wins coming by seven or more points. Keep in mind Syracuse is now playing without their 7-foot center Fab Melo, who was ruled ineligible last week before the NCAA Tournament began. Melo is only sixth on the team in scoring at 7.8 points per game, however he is a force defensively and was name the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He also led the Orangemen in rebounding (5.8) and blocks (2.9) per game this season.

West Region

The West has three of the top four seeds remaining alive with No. 1-seed Michigan State, No.3-seed Marquette, and No. 4-seed Louisville playing in the Sweet Sixteen. After No. 15-seed Norfolk State’s major upset of No. 2-seed Missouri as a 21-point underdog, the bottom of the bracket was wide open and No. 7-seed Florida took advantage to complete the foursome. Florida also had the easiest game in the Round of 32 as they beat Norfolk State by a whopping 34 points (84-50) as a 14-point favorite. Michigan State, Louisville, and Marquette won their games by a combined 16 points.

Both games in the West on Thursday night are projected to be close as Marquette is just a 1.5-point favorite over Florida and Michigan State is just a 5-point favorite over Louisville. Favorites cashed at a 75 percent clip (9-3 ATS) in the first two rounds in the West Region with their average win coming by a whopping 14.9 points per game.

Midwest Region

The Midwest didn’t quite play out as the other three regions. The top two seeds, No. 1-seed North Carolina and No. 2-seed Kansas are still alive. But the No. 3-seed through No. 10 seeds were all eliminated which left No. 11-seed NC State and No. 13-seed Ohio as two surprise teams in the Sweet 16. Kansas narrowly covered the spread against Detroit in their 85-70 win as a 14-point favorite and were never covering against Purdue as an 8-point favorite and the Jayhawks were lucky to escape with a 63-60 win as they trailed outright for the majority of that game.

North Carolina has been the most impressive team in the Midwest as the Tar Heels won their two games by 19 and 14 points, while going 2-0 ATS. However, UNC suffered a major blow on Sunday when point guard Kendall Marshall fractured his wrist against Creighton. Marshall underwent surgery on Monday and had a screw inserted in his injured wrist and his status for Friday's game versus Ohio is still uncertain. Marshall is shooting 46.7 percent from the floor this season, including 35.4 percent from 3-point range, and most importantly he leads the Tar Heels with 351 assists. No other player has more than 45 assists this season.

NC State and Ohio are a combined 4-0 ATS so far in the NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack and the Bobcats are both sizeable underdogs on Friday night; NC State is +8 against Kansas, while Ohio is +10.5 against North Carolina. The Wolfpack are on a perfect 7-0-1 ATS run with five of those wins coming in the role of an underdog. Ohio actually came into this tournament on a downswing as the Bobcats were on a 1-4 ATS run prior to their two pointspread covers against Michigan and South Florida.

South Region

The South mostly played to form with three of the top four seeds remaining alive in the NCAA Tournament with No. 1-seed Kentucky, No. 3-seed Baylor, and No. 4-seed Indiana all making the Sweet 16. The bottom two games of the South bracket saw two upsets when No. 10-seed Xavier beat No. 7-seed Notre Dame and No. 15-seed Lehigh beat No. 2-seed Duke. Xavier completes the quartet. This will be the fourth time over the last five years in which the Musketeers have won at least two games in the NCAA tournament.

Kentucky (-9 over Indiana) and Baylor (-6 over Xavier) are both big favorites on Friday to advance to the Elite 8. After failing to cover their large 26.5-point spread against overmatched Western Kentucky, the Wildcats showed their superiority with an 87-71 win over Iowa State as an 11-point favorite. Baylor is 2-0 ATS if you are a good shopper as the Bears snuck inside the number (-7.5) with a 68-60 win over South Dakota State. Next, they blew out Colorado by 17 points (80-63) also as a 7.5-point favorite. Xavier is 2-0 ATS so far, while Indiana is 1-1 ATS. Overall, underdogs hold a slight edge in the South going 7-5 ATS with five outright wins so far.

Kentucky remains a heavy favorite to win the NCAA Tournament with a 30 percent chance based on their true mathematical odds, followed by Ohio State at 14 percent, and North Carolina at 11 percent.


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NCAAB

Thursday, March 22

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March Madness: Best Sweet 16 betting trends
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There is nothing sweeter this time of the year than being alive in the Sweet 16 of NCAA tournament. But not all teams, coaches and conferences act the same when the going gets tough.

From the files of the PLAYBOOK, here are the best betting trends for the second weekend of March Madness.

SWEET 16 NOTES:

• No. 1 seeds favored by less than 11 points, and off back to back (BB) straight up and against the spread (SUATS) wins are 18-6 ATS

• No. 2 seeds are 13-5 ATS vs. opponents off an SU dog win

• Favored No. 3 seeds off BB SU and ATS wins are 2-10 ATS

• No. 4 seed dogs are 3-9 ATS vs. foes off BB SUATS wins

• No. 5 seeds are 5-0-1 ATS as double-digit (DD) dogs

• No. 6 seeds off DD ATS wins are 1-8 ATS

• No. 7 seeds (or lower) as underdogs of two points or more are 4-14 ATS

• Favorites of 9 or more points are 20-9-1 ATS vs. opponents off BB SU and ATS wins

• Favorites off BB SU wins of 15 or more points are 12-4 ATS

• Underdogs of 11 or more points are 7-2 ATS

Best team ATS record in this round

Louisville: 5-0, North Carolina: 4-0, Xavier: 3-0-1, Michigan St: 6-1

Worst team ATS record in this round

Syracuse: 0-5, Ohio State: 0-3

Best conference ATS records in this round

Atlantic 10: 6-1-1, Big 12: 6-1-1, SEC: 10-3 as dogs

Worst conference ATS records in this round

Big East: 1-7 when favored by seven or less, Big Ten: 1-7

ELITE 8 ROUND NOTES:

• No. 1 seeds favored by seven or more are 1-6-1 ATS vs. foes off BB ATS wins

• No. 2 seeds are 2-10-1 ATS off DD ATS wins

• No. 3 seeds are 1-6 ATS

• No. 4 seeds are 8-1 ATS

• No. 5 seeds are 7-0 ATS

• No. 6 seeds are 0-7 SU and 2-5 ATS

• No. 7 seeds are 0-5 SU

• No. 8 seeds are 4-1 ATS

• Teams that score fewer than 67 points are 12-39 SU and 12-38-1 ATS

• Teams that score more than 85 points are 27-7 SU and 24-8-2 ATS

• Teams off BB ATS losses are 4-1 ATS

• Teams with revenge are 14-4-1 ATS

• Dogs off three straight DD wins are 1-4-1 ATS

Best conference ATS record in this round

Big East: 5-0-1 as dogs, Big Ten: 7-1 as dogs of six or fewer points, SEC: 4-1 as faves off DD ATS wins.

Worst conference ATS record in this round

Big 12: 0-10, Big East: 1-6-1 off SU dog win

COACH ME IF YOU CAN:

• Florida’s Billy Donovan is 12-3 SU and 11-4 ATS in the NCAA tournament from the Sweet 16 out.


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[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel

Indiana at Washington
The Pacers look to take advantage of a Washington team that is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 home games. Indiana is the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has the Pacers favored by 9. Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-7). Here are all of today's picks

THURSDAY, MARCH 22

Game 801-802: Indiana at Washington (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 119.812; Washington 110.703
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 9; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 7; 199 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-7); Under

Game 803-804: Boston at Milwaukee (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 120.939; Milwaukee 120.885
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Milwaukee by 3 1/2; 200 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+3 1/2); Over

Game 805-806: Golden State at Houston (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 115.667; Houston 119.842
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 4; 202
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 8; 197
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+8); Over

Game 807-808: LA Clippers at New Orleans (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 118.059; New Orleans 113.288
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 5; 177
Vegas Line & Total: LA Clippers by 3; 181 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (-3); Under

Game 809-810: Memphis at Portland (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 117.100; Portland 117.260
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 196
Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 1 1/2; 194 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+1 1/2); Over

Game 811-812: Utah at Sacramento (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 120.910; Sacramento 123.028
Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 2; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Sacramento by 1; 210 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (-1); Under




NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, March 23

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INDIANA (26 - 18) at WASHINGTON (11 - 34) - 3/22/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 17-28 ATS (-13.8 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 39-65 ATS (-32.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) in home games this season.
WASHINGTON is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 137-177 ATS (-57.7 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 13-29 ATS (-18.9 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 5-18 ATS (-14.8 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 22-35 ATS (-16.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 6-2 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 6-2 straight up against WASHINGTON 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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BOSTON (24 - 21) at MILWAUKEE (21 - 24) - 3/22/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 59-73 ATS (-21.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 10-24 ATS (-16.4 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) after allowing 85 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 25-37 ATS (-15.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 117-94 ATS (+13.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) against Atlantic division opponents this season.
MILWAUKEE is 29-11 ATS (+16.9 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 44-70 ATS (-33.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-2 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 6-2 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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GOLDEN STATE (19 - 25) at HOUSTON (25 - 22) - 3/22/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 60-87 ATS (-35.7 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
HOUSTON is 33-17 ATS (+14.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 76-108 ATS (-42.8 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 5-3 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 6-2 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LA CLIPPERS (26 - 20) at NEW ORLEANS (11 - 35) - 3/22/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 24-37 ATS (-16.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 15-28 ATS (-15.8 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 13-30 ATS (-20.0 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 12-27 ATS (-17.7 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 184-232 ATS (-71.2 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 9-22 ATS (-15.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in home games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 180 and 184.5 points this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 6-1 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 6-1 straight up against LA CLIPPERS 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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MEMPHIS (25 - 19) at PORTLAND (21 - 25) - 3/22/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 80-57 ATS (+17.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 37-24 ATS (+10.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) as an underdog this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 4-3 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 5-3 straight up against MEMPHIS 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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UTAH (24 - 22) at SACRAMENTO (17 - 29) - 3/22/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 21-36 ATS (-18.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 7-2 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 5-4 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, March 23

Hot Teams
-- Washington covered four of last five games, all on road; they're 5-9 as a home underdog this season.
-- Celtics are 7-5-1 as a road underdog this season. Milwaukee won its last six games, covered its last eight.
-- Houston is 7-3 vs spread as a home favorite of 6+ points. Warriors are 7-3 vs spread as road underdog of 6+ points- they're 5-0 vs spread in their last five road games.
-- Jazz won five of their last six games. Sacramento won/covered its last three games, all at home- they're 8-2 as home dogs of less than 6 points.

Cold Teams
-- Pacers lost their last four road games.
-- Clippers lost four of last five road games; they're 1-7 vs spread in last eight games overall. Hornets lost last five home games (0-5 vs spread).
-- Portland lost eight of its last eleven games. Grizzlies lost three of their last four games (0-4 vs spread).

Wear-and-Tear
-- Pacers: 2nd game/5 nites. Wizards: 7th game/11 nites.
-- Celtics: Had last two nites off. Bucks: 2nd game/6 nites.
-- Warriors: 9th game/13 nites. Rockets: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Clippers: 3rd in row, 9th game/12 nites. Hornets: 2nd nite in row after having previous three nites off.
-- Grizzlies: 3rd game/5 nites. Blazers: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Jazz: 6th game/9 nites. Kings: 3rd game/5 nites.

Totals
-- Last four Indiana games went over the total. Last four Washington games stayed under.
-- 12 of last 13 Milwaukee games went over the total. Four of last five Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Golden State road games stayed under. Over is 9-2 in Houston's last eleven games.
-- Over is 7-2 in last nine Clipper road games.
-- Five of last seven Memphis road games went over total.
-- Nine of last eleven Utah games went over the total.

Back-to-Back
-- Washington is 4-5-1 vs spread if it played nite before, 0-2-1 if it won.
-- Golden State is 6-1 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Clippers are 3-2 vs spread if they played the nite before. New Orleans is 6-5 vs spread if it played night before, 0-2 at home.




NBA

Thursday, March 23

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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7:00 PM
INDIANA vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games
Washington is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
Washington is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games at home

8:00 PM
BOSTON vs. MILWAUKEE
Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing Boston

8:00 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. NEW ORLEANS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 6 games on the road
LA Clippers are 1-15 ATS in their last 16 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 9 of New Orleans's last 11 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
New Orleans is 15-1 SU in their last 16 games when playing LA Clippers

8:00 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. HOUSTON
Golden State is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Golden State's last 9 games on the road
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 9 games when playing at home against Golden State

10:00 PM
UTAH vs. SACRAMENTO
Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Sacramento
Utah is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Sacramento's last 10 games when playing Utah
Sacramento is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Utah

10:00 PM
MEMPHIS vs. PORTLAND
Memphis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Portland
Memphis is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Portland
Portland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Portland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games


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NBA

Thursday, March 23

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Pick 'n' roll: Thursday's best NBA bets
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Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers (1, 194.5)

The Portland Trail Blazers look to bounce back from their worst home loss in more than three years when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. Portland was routed 116-87 by the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday while dropping to 1-2 under new coach Kaleb Canales.

The Grizzlies haven't covered a pointspread in four straight games as the long-awaited return of star forward Zach Randolph isn’t yet paying dividends. Randolph returned to the starting lineup in the loss to the Kings and had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Memphis has allowed 114 or more points in three of the last four games.

“I don’t want to talk about any individual person,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. “All I want to talk about is that we got our butts kicked because we did not play hard and did not play together.”

The Grizzlies might get a bit of a boost with Gilbert Arenas is expected to make his Memphis debut, and you have to think Randolph might break out against this shoddy defense.

Pick: Grizzlies


Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (-8, 196)

The Houston Rockets saw their grip on a playoff spot slipping away on Tuesday and did something about it, overcoming a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Western conference is so tightly packed that the eighth-place Rockets are two games out of the No. 4 spot and only 2 ½ games ahead of the No. 11 team. The Golden State Warriors are slipping further and further away.

Houston has dropped eight of its last 12 games but can be encouraged by its latest performance. Playing again without point guard Kyle Lowry, Goran Dragic picked up the slack with 16 points and 13 assists and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer down the stretch to help complete the comeback against the Lakers.

The starting backcourt of Lowry and Kevin Martin (shoulder) has given way to Dragic and Courtney Lee for the moment and Houston has covered in four of the last five.

Pick: Rockets


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[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel

Nashville at Pittsburgh
The Penguins look to take advantage of a Nashville team that is coming off a 6-3 loss to Edmonton and is 1-4 in its last 5 games after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Pittsburgh is the pick (-175) according to Dunkel, which has the Penguins favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-175). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22

Game 1-2: Nashville at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 10.866; Pittsburgh 12.985
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-175); Under

Game 3-4: Washington at Philadelphia (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.353; Philadelphia 10.771
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+140); Under

Game 5-6: Edmonton at Tampa Bay (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 10.873; Tampa Bay 11.779
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-125); Under

Game 7-8: Calgary at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 9.825; Minnesota 11.365
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-135); 5
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+115); Over

Game 9-10: Vancouver at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 10.239; Dallas 11.608
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-130); 5
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+110); Under

Game 11-12: Colorado at Phoenix (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 10.720; Phoenix 12.033
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 13-14: Boston at San Jose (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.225; San Jose 10.487
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+100); Under

Game 15-16: St. Louis at Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 11.833; Los Angeles 12.577
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-120); 5
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-120); Under

[Udog]

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, March 23

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NASHVILLE (42-23-0-8, 92 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (45-21-0-6, 96 pts.) - 3/22/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 13-2 ATS (+10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NASHVILLE is 41-31 ATS (+4.6 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 54-38 ATS (+11.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 23-17 ATS (+43.6 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 149-136 ATS (+292.4 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 72-68 ATS (+148.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 17-22 ATS (-25.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 1-1 (+0.6 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 1-1-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.1 Units)

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WASHINGTON (37-30-0-6, 80 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (42-23-0-8, 92 pts.) - 3/22/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 1-10 ATS (+11.6 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 10-2 ATS (+7.6 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 37-35 ATS (-11.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 23-24 ATS (-17.4 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-5 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 6-5-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.9 Units)

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EDMONTON (29-36-0-8, 66 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (32-33-0-7, 71 pts.) - 3/22/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 53-101 ATS (+195.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 10-22 ATS (+32.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
EDMONTON is 13-35 ATS (+60.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 89-82 ATS (+199.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 67-113 ATS (+227.6 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 247-340 ATS (+759.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 2-0 (+2.1 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 2-0-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

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CALGARY (34-26-0-14, 82 pts.) at MINNESOTA (30-32-0-10, 70 pts.) - 3/22/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 41-30 ATS (+74.9 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 8-3 ATS (+12.4 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
MINNESOTA is 17-10 ATS (+27.9 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 3 seasons.
CALGARY is 14-6 ATS (+7.9 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
CALGARY is 21-7 ATS (+11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-21 ATS (+33.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 0-6 ATS (-7.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 10-7 (+4.4 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 10-7-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.3 Units)

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VANCOUVER (43-21-0-9, 95 pts.) at DALLAS (40-28-0-5, 85 pts.) - 3/22/2012, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 3-6 ATS (-9.5 Units) in March games this season.
DALLAS is 40-32 ATS (-4.2 Units) in all games this season.
DALLAS is 10-2 ATS (+12.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
DALLAS is 13-7 ATS (+5.7 Units) after a division game this season.
VANCOUVER is 101-88 ATS (+195.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 185-163 ATS (+353.1 Units) in road games second half of the season since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 13-4 ATS (+8.8 Units) in road games when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 22-6 ATS (+14.3 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 9-2 ATS (+6.6 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
VANCOUVER is 62-33 ATS (+17.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 88-87 ATS (+193.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 7-3 (+2.1 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 7-3-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.7 Units)

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COLORADO (40-30-0-5, 85 pts.) at PHOENIX (36-26-0-12, 84 pts.) - 3/22/2012, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 7-4 (+1.8 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 7-4-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.3 Units)

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BOSTON (42-27-0-3, 87 pts.) at SAN JOSE (36-27-0-10, 82 pts.) - 3/22/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 18-19 ATS (-14.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 17-17 ATS (-14.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
BOSTON is 4-10 ATS (-14.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 141-123 ATS (+271.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
BOSTON is 29-19 ATS (+49.6 Units) in road games after shutting out their opponent in their previous game since 1996.
BOSTON is 21-10 ATS (+9.5 Units) in road games after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 36-37 ATS (-32.6 Units) in all games this season.
SAN JOSE is 17-22 ATS (-22.6 Units) second half of the season this season.
SAN JOSE is 3-8 ATS (-8.9 Units) in March games this season.
SAN JOSE is 114-107 ATS (-66.7 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 2-1 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 2-1-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.2 Units)

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ST LOUIS (46-20-0-8, 100 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (36-25-0-12, 84 pts.) - 3/22/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 4-16 ATS (+23.5 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 46-28 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 23-6 ATS (+13.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ST LOUIS is 37-16 ATS (+13.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 35-37 ATS (-31.3 Units) in all games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 34-36 ATS (-21.1 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 24-33 ATS (-33.4 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 8-3 (+6.3 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 8-3-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.4 Units)

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[Udog]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, March 23

Hot teams
-- Penguins outscored foes 34-13 in winning last eight home games.
-- Washington won five of its last seven games. Flyers won five of six at home.
-- Oilers won five of their last seven road games.
-- Dallas Stars won seven of their last nine games.
-- Colorado won seven of its last nine games.
-- Kings won their last five games, outscoring foes 21-10.

Cold teams
-- Predators lost three of their last four games.
-- Lightning lost its last three games, scoring five goals.
-- Flames lost last three games, 3-1/2-1so/2-1ot. Minnesota lost five of its last six home games.
-- Vancouver lost last four road games, with three of them in OT/SO.
-- Coyotes lost eight of their last eleven games.
-- San Jose lost eight of its last eleven games. Bruins were outscored 17-5 in losing their last three road games.
-- Blues lost three of their last four games.

Totals
-- Over is 6-3-1 in last ten Nashville games.
-- Philly's last ten games stayed under the total. Six of last seven Washington road games went over.
-- Five of last six Edmonton games stayed under total.
-- Last three Calgary games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 4-0-1 in Vancouver's last five road games.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Colorado games.
-- Five of last six Boston games went over the total.
-- Last four Los Angeles games went over. Five of last seven St Louis road games stayed under.

Series records
-- Predators lost 4-3 in OT at Pittsburgh in LY's meeting.
-- Washington won four of last seven visits to Philly.
-- Oilers won their last three games against Tampa Bay.
-- Flames won their last four games against Minnesota.
-- Dallas beat Canucks twice this year (3-2ot/5-2) after losing nine of previous ten games to Vancouver.
-- Coyotes won seven of last nine games against Colorado.
-- Sharks won three of last four games against Boston.
-- Kings lost eight of last ten games with St Louis.

Back-to-Back
-- Canucks are 1-3 if they lost the night before.
-- Blues are 4-7 on road if they played night before.

[Udog]

NHL

Thursday, March 23

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
NASHVILLE vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
Nashville is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games

7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Washington
Philadelphia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington

7:30 PM
EDMONTON vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
Edmonton is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Tampa Bay is 6-14-2 SU in its last 22 games ,when playing Edmonton

8:00 PM
CALGARY vs. MINNESOTA
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Calgary is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
Minnesota is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games

8:30 PM
VANCOUVER vs. DALLAS
Vancouver is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Dallas
Vancouver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Vancouver
Dallas is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games

10:00 PM
COLORADO vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Colorado's last 13 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games
Phoenix is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Phoenix is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Colorado

10:30 PM
BOSTON vs. SAN JOSE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Jose's last 7 games at home
San Jose is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

10:30 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. LOS ANGELES
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 6 of St. Louis's last 9 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing St. Louis


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[Udog]

NHL

Thursday, March 23

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Ice picks: Thursday’s best NHL bets
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Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers (-160, 5.5)

The Capitals may have nine regular season games left on the schedule, but they all know they’re playing playoff hockey right now.

Washington, which went into Wednesday night’s action holding down the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, has won six of its last eight. Alex Ovechkin paced the attack Monday with his 31st and 32nd goals of the season to help Washington to a 5-3 victory over the Red Wings.

Ovie hasn’t been the only one rising to the occasion, either.

"We're really trying to play playoff hockey right now," Capitals coach Dale Hunter told reporters. "We're battling for our life to get in. You see us sliding all over the place trying to block shots. We're a desperate team to try to get points."

If the Caps are going to sneak into the postseason, they’ll need wins over teams like the Flyers. We’ll see if they have what it takes.

Pick: Capitals


Edmonton Oilers at Tampa Bay Lightning (-125, 5.5)

Edmonton Oilers head coach Tom Renney normally stays on a pretty even keel. He knows his young team was in for some ups and downs this season and coached the squad accordingly.

However, when they dropped a 3-2 decision at San Jose earlier this month, he let the Oilers have it, criticizing their effort and competitiveness. His words didn’t fall on deaf ears. Edmonton won 6-3 at Nashville Tuesday while outshooting the Preds 44-20 to pick up their seventh point in four games since Renney blew his top.

"You don't want that losing mentality,” Jordan Eberle told reporters. “You don't want that losing way to creep into your locker room, where you think that losing is acceptable, because it's not. We want to win hockey games and we want to do well."

Meanwhile, the Lightning have dropped six of their last seven.

Pick: Oilers


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