The Bum's February NBA Best Bets !

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Chicago at Oklahoma City
The Thunder look to build on their 8-1 ATS record in their last 9 home games. Oklahoma City is the pick (-8 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Thunder favored by 15. Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-8 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Game 801-802: LA Lakers at Dallas (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 116.337; Dallas 124.632
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 8 1/2; 200
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 803-804: Memphis at Brooklyn (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 120.603; Brooklyn 119.210
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 1 1/2; 198
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 805-806: Golden State at Minnesota (3:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 116.053; Minnesota 113.233
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 3; 199
Vegas Line & Total: Golden State by 1; 204 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (-1); Under

Game 807-808: Sacramento at New Orleans (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 110.722; New Orleans 121.604
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 11; 203
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 809-810: Cleveland at Miami (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 118.161; Miami 133.668
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 15 1/2; 200
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 12 1/2; 204 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-12 1/2); Under

Game 811-812: Philadelphia at New York (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 112.723; New York 124.019
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 11 1/2; 193
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 10 1/2; 187 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (-10 1/2); Over

Game 813-814: San Antonio at Phoenix (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 124.951; Phoenix 112.299
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 12 1/2; 197
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 9 1/2; 202
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-9 1/2); Under

Game 815-816: Boston at Portland (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 116.610; Portland 120.658
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 4; 197
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 2; 192 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-2); Over

Game 817-818: Chicago at Oklahoma City (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 117.394; Oklahoma City 132.561
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 15; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 8 1/2; 196
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-8 1/2); Under

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Sunday, February 24

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Bulls at Thunder: What bettors need to know
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Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder (-8.5, 196)

The Chicago Bulls have the second-best road record as they visit one of the top home clubs in the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. Chicago’s 17-10 road mark trails only the San Antonio Spurs but the Bulls will face a tough test in battling Oklahoma City, which is a gaudy 24-4 at home. The Bulls are just 4-6 over their last 10 games but Oklahoma City lost a season-worst three straight games before downing the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Oklahoma City shot 57.8 percent from the field and matched a season-best for points in the 127-111 win over the Timberwolves. But the Thunder’s recent play on the defensive end remains substandard in the view of coach Scott Brooks and several players. “All five guys that are on the court have to be tied on a string,” center Kendrick Perkins said after the win over Minnesota. “It only takes one guy to mess up the whole thing as far as our defensive concepts.” Chicago routed the Charlotte Bobcats 105-75 on Friday one night after a woeful 86-67 loss to the Miami Heat. Oklahoma City defeated the Bulls 97-71 in Chicago on Nov. 8.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, WGN (Chicago), Fox Sports Oklahoma

ABOUT THE BULLS (32-23): Chicago reached 100 points for just the second time all month with the trouncing of the Bobcats. Perhaps more pleasing was that the Bulls had 37 assists on 42 baskets and committed just six turnovers. The Bulls had 27 miscues in the loss to the Heat. “I thought we played a great team game and we needed this game after (Thursday) night,” forward Luol Deng said afterwards. “I thought we didn’t play well at all (against Miami). It feels good just to get a win. We’ve just got to keep it moving.” Point guard Kirk Hinrich (elbow) has missed nine of the last 10 games.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (40-15): Guard Russell Westbrook had a splendid performance with nine assists and seven rebounds to go with a season-best 37 points in the victory over the Timberwolves. Westbrook was 13-of-22 from the field and made all nine of his free-throw attempts. “He had nine assists, that’s good basketball,” Brooks said afterwards. “The way he scored, he took a lot of good shots and had a high percentage. Russell had a very, very good all-around game.” Westbrook is averaging 27.4 points over the last five games. Forward Kevin Durant had 27 points and is averaging 29 over the past four outings.

TRENDS:

* Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games.
* Thunder are 8-1 ATS in their last nine home games.
* Over is 4-0 in Thunder’s last four overall.
* Over is 4-1 in Bulls’ last five vs. Western Conference foes.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Chicago has split four meetings in Oklahoma City.

2. The Thunder made all 22 of their free-throw attempts in the victory over Minnesota.

3. The Bulls are 23-7 when holding opponents below 90 points.

[StarDust Bum]

Monday, February 25

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Washington - 7:00 PM ET Washington +5.5 500 POD
Toronto - Over 190.5 500

Atlanta - 7:30 PM ET Atlanta -3.5 500
Detroit - Under 195.5 500

L.A. Lakers - 9:00 PM ET Denver -7.5 500 POD
Denver - Over 217 500

Boston - 9:00 PM ET Boston +7 500 POD
Utah - Under 190 500

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday, February 26

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Orlando - 7:00 PM ET Orlando +10 500
Philadelphia - Under 189.5 500

Golden State - 7:00 PM ET Indiana -7.5 500 POD
Indiana - Under 195 500

Sacramento - 7:30 PM ET Miami -15.5 500 POD # 2
Miami - Under 210.5 500

Cleveland - 8:00 PM ET Chicago -7 500
Chicago - Over 190 500

Brooklyn - 8:00 PM ET Brooklyn +2.5 500
New Orleans - Over 185 500

Milwaukee - 8:30 PM ET Dallas -5.5 500
Dallas - Under 211 500

Minnesota - 9:00 PM ET Phoenix -1.5 500
Phoenix - Over 194.5 500

Charlotte - 10:30 PM ET L.A. Clippers -15 500
L.A. Clippers - Over 199 500

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, February 26

Hot Teams
-- Indiana won its last four games, all by 18+ points (7-2 last nine HF). Warriors won last three games (0-7 last seven AU).
-- Miami won its last 11 games (9-5 last 14 HF).
-- Cavaliers covered four in row, seven of last nine games (8-5 last 13 AU).
-- Mavericks won five of last seven games (10-4 last 14 HF).
-- Clippers won five of last six games (2-5 last seven HF).

Cold Teams
-- Orlando lost last five games, four by 13+ points (2-7 last nine AU). 76ers lost last five games, scoring 92 or less in all five (5-1 last six HF).
-- Kings lost their last five games (2-6 last eight AU).
-- Nets lost last two games, by 4-10 points (3-5 last eight AU). Hornets lost three of their last four games (5-2-1 last eight HF).
-- Bulls lost six of their last nine games (5-17 HF).
-- Milwaukee lost seven of last eight games (1-4 last five AU).
-- Minnesota lost seven of its last nine games (2-7-1 last ten AU). Suns lost seven of their last eight games (4-8 HF).
-- Bobcats lost eight of last ten games (6-3 last nine AU).

Totals
-- Seven of last ten Philly games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last ten Golden State games went over total.
-- Over is 6-0-1 in last seven Sacramento games.
-- Last four New Orleans games went over the total.
-- Seven of last ten Cleveland games went over the total; four of last five Cleveland games stayed under.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Milwaukee games.
-- Four of last five Minnesota games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Charlotte games stayed under the total; four of last five Clipper games went over.

Back-to-backs
-- None.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Tuesday, February 26

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Warriors at Pacers: What bettors need to know
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Golden State Warriors at Indiana Pacers (-8, 196.5)

With how well the Miami Heat have played recently, the Indiana Pacers’ surge in the Eastern Conference has fallen below the radar a bit. The Pacers will be looking to post their fifth straight double-digit win when they host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Indiana has won its last four by an average of 27 points and just got former All-Star Danny Granger back on Saturday. The Warriors have won three straight behind Jarrett Jack and David Lee.

Golden State snapped a five-game road losing streak as Jack came through for 23 points at Minnesota on Sunday. The veteran guard comes off the bench for the Warriors but plays starter minutes and is usually running the offense at crunch time, with Stephen Curry sliding over to the shooting guard spot. Jack gives defenses an extra outside shooter to account for in addition to Curry and Klay Thompson. The Pacers, who own the best scoring defense in the NBA, will not be intimidated by Golden State’s plethora of options.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (Golden State), Fox Sports Indiana

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (33-23, 29-26-1 ATS): Golden State was struggling to adjust to having Andrew Bogut back in the lineup. It is hard not notice that the Warriors have played better the last two games with the former No. 1 pick out again dealing with back spasms. When Bogut is out, Golden State relies heavily on a smaller lineup with Carl Landry in the frontcourt and Lee crashing the boards. Lee has posted back-to-back double-doubles, including a 25-point, 22-rebound effort in an overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. Jack, who like Landry comes off the bench, has been the team’s best crunch-time option on offense during the three-game winning streak. The veteran point guard has put up 24.7 points and 7.3 assists in that span. The Warriors kicked off a five-game road trip with Sunday’s 100-99 win at Minnesota and will get stiff tests from four of the best defensive teams in the East over the next week, with visits to the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers following Tuesday’s date with Indiana.

ABOUT THE PACERS (35-21, 32-24-0 ATS): Indiana is starting to look like a legitimate challenger to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers are holding opponents to an average of 89.4 points and lead the league in rebounding. Granger went 1-for-10 in 19 minutes off the bench on Saturday as he began to shake off the rust from missing the first 55 games. Granger could prove to be the biggest midseason addition to any contending team if he can provide the Pacers with another perimeter scorer to go along with Paul George. Indiana has put up 107.5 points during its four-game winning streak - almost 14 points better than its season average - and has moved up into the No. 2 spot in the East.

TRENDS:

* Favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
* Home team is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
* Over is 15-7 in the last 22 meetings.
* Warriors are 5-16 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
* Warriors are 1-10 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Indiana.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Bogut did not travel with the team to Minnesota on Sunday but could join the trip at some point this week.

2. The home team has won nine of the last 10 meetings in the series, including Golden State’s 103-92 home win on Dec. 1. George was held scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting for the Pacers in that setback.

3. Granger has averaged 23.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in 14 career games against the Warriors.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Short Sheet

Tuesday, February 26

Orlando at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
Orlando: 2-12 ATS against Atlantic division opponents
Philadelphia: 14-4 ATS in home games after a loss by 6 points or less

Golden State at Indiana, 7:05 ET
Golden State: 3-12 ATS in road games after 2 or more consecutive wins
Indiana: 9-1 ATS after a division game

Sacramento at Miami, 7:35 ET
Sacramento: 9-19 ATS revenging a loss where opponent scored 100 or more points
Miami: 9-1 ATS after 2 straight games where they made 9 or more 3 point shots

Brooklyn at New Orleans, 8:05 ET
Brooklyn: 1-9 ATS against Southwest division opponents
New Orleans: 8-0 ATS after failing to cover 3 of their last 4 against the spread

Cleveland at Chicago, 8:05 ET NBATV
Cleveland: 8-18 ATS vs. division opponents
Chicago: 27-14 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses

Milwaukee at Dallas, 8:35 ET
Milwaukee: 0-7 ATS against Southwest division opponents
Dallas: 13-4 ATS after 3 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers

Minnesota at Phoenix, 9:05 ET
Minnesota: 5-17 ATS after a close loss by 3 points or less
Phoenix: 18-6 ATS after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games

Charlotte at LA Clippers, 10:35 ET
Charlotte: 7-18 ATS after one or more consecutive overs
LA Clippers: 24-15 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday, February 27

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Sacramento 0 0th Orlando +2.5 500
Orlando 0 Over 206 500

Toronto 0 0th Cleveland +5 500
Cleveland 0 Over 196 500

Detroit 0 0th Washington -6.5 500
Washington 0 Under 190.5 500

Golden State - 8:00 PM ET Golden State +6.5 500
New York - Over 206.5 500

Dallas - 8:00 PM ET Memphis -7.5 500
Memphis - Under 190 500

Milwaukee - 8:00 PM ET Milwaukee +8 500 POD
Houston - Over 219.5 500

New Orleans - 8:00 PM ET Oklahoma City -13 500
Oklahoma City - Under 203 500

Phoenix - 8:30 PM ET San Antonio -15.5 500 POD
San Antonio - Under 200 500

Atlanta - 9:00 PM ET Utah -4.5 500
Utah - Over 197.5 500

Denver - 10:30 PM ET Denver -2 500
Portland - Over 210.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday, February 28

Game Score Status Pick Amount

L.A. Clippers - 7:00 PM ET Indiana -1.5 500 POD
Indiana - Over 192.5 500

Philadelphia - 8:00 PM ET Chicago -7 500
Chicago - Under 178.5 500

Minnesota - 10:30 PM ET Minnesota +10 500 POD
L.A. Lakers - Over 205.5 500