The Bum's NBA Regular and Playoff Season's Best Bets !!

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Short Sheet

Monday, May 6

Golden State at San Antonio, 9:35 ET TNT
Golden State: 10-22 ATS in road games after successfully covering the spread in 2 or more consecutive games
San Antonio: 10-1 ATS off a road blowout win by 20 points or more

Chicago at Miami, 7:05 ET TNT
Chicago: 13-25 ATS after a game where they covered the spread
Miami: 15-7 ATS after covering 5 or 6 of their last 7 against the spread

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pacers (49-32) at Knicks (54-28)

Date: May 07, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) - The New York Knicks will not concede they have a ``big' problem - yet.

They know the Indiana Pacers have a size advantage, realize that Carmelo Anthony is going to get beat up banging against a bulkier body, and understand that a change to a lineup with a conventional power forward may become necessary.

Not now, but check back if they lose Game 2 on Tuesday night.

``I'm not saying I won't do that. But I'm just saying right now we've only got one game under our belt. ... The small lineup that we started didn't cost us,' Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Monday. ``And I don't consider Melo a small. You guys might, but I don't.'

He is, though, when it comes to his matchup against the Pacers.

Listed at 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds, Anthony has a quickness advantage playing against power forwards, and he's big enough to defend many of them. But Indiana's David West is 6-9 and 250, playing his natural position he's been an All-Star at, and he's one of the toughest competitors around.

The Pacers outrebounded the Knicks 44-30 on Sunday in their 102-95 victory in the opener of the second-round series.

``We're a big, physical team,' Pacers center Roy Hibbert said. ``Their specialty is their offensive firepower and we've got guys that could hold down the paint and the perimeter, too. So we just try to make everything as hard as possible for those guys and use our length and athleticism.'

Anthony was in foul trouble and shot only 10 of 28, and a couple of his teammates even expressed concern about the pounding he took. But Anthony offers no excuses and his coach makes no concessions, saying the guys who started weren't the problem since the Knicks led after the first quarter.

``I thought we came out, we held our own the start of the game, had nothing to do with who started at the 4 or the 5,' Woodson said.

``Melo's played big guys all year. Last I checked, statistics-wise we've been pretty damn good this year with Melo playing at the 4 spot, so I don't see any reason to change at this point right now.'

But something is affecting Anthony. The NBA's leading scorer has made just 35 of 110 shots over his last four games and his shooting percentage for the postseason is down to 38 percent overall and 26 percent from 3-point range.

Point guard Raymond Felton wondered if the Pacers were targeting Anthony's sore left shoulder that he wore a strap over in Game 1 to keep in place. Teammate Kenyon Martin said he didn't think Anthony should have to ``wrestle and tussle' with West and that perhaps the Knicks should start a bigger lineup. (He would be the obvious candidate to start).

``I think K-Mart is coming from a concerned standpoint as a teammate from me getting beat up so much, but we've been going through and dealing with the same thing all year long,' Anthony said.

``I'm fine. I've been bruised up, beat up all year long, so as far as them guys targeting the shoulder, I can't worry about that.'

Martin is only an inch taller and weighs less than Anthony, who shifted from his normal small forward spot to the power forward last season when Amare Stoudemire was injured and stayed there this season when Stoudemire remained out. The Knicks flourished with the small lineup and an emphasis on 3-point shooting.

``Kenyon is no bigger than Melo, that's kind of how I look at it,' Woodson said. ``We'll just gauge it and see how it goes tomorrow and if we've got to make that adjustment, I'll be the one to make that call.'

Stoudemire could become an option to get big man minutes later in the series if he's cleared to return from right knee surgery. He took part in 3-on-3 scrimmages Monday, looking winded but expecting to practice Thursday and be in uniform Saturday.

``Game 1 was tough for us, but we're going to retaliate in Game 2 and see how that goes, and then from that game we'll see what type of adjustments we need to make. And then if I'm able to play, then I will,' Stoudemire said.

The Knicks said most of their problems stemmed from being outworked, but they've got other issues. Hibbert (14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks) dominated his matchup with Tyson Chandler (4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 6 fouls), and Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith continued his shooting woes by going 4 of 15.

``I thought both teams played extremely physical. It's going to be that kind of series,' Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. ``I don't think we've won that physicality battle or anything like that. I think they played extremely hard and physical, and so did we.'

With the Knicks unable to hit from the perimeter, they were forced to drive at Hibbert and other big defenders, which plays into the Pacers' hands. But Anthony said he'll keep doing it, insisting again the Knicks' effort was more of a problem than the Pacers' execution.

``For the most part, everything came down to effort yesterday,' he said. ``In our minds, we cannot get outworked like we did yesterday and that will be the adjustment.'

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Grizzlies (56-26) at Thunder (60-22)

Date: May 07, 2013 9:30 PM EDT


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Pondering Kevin Durant's latest big-time shot on the playoff stage, Lionel Hollins started listing a who's who of NBA greats from days gone by: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Sam Jones, John Havlicek, George Mikan, Bob Pettit.

What do they all have in common?

``If you just go through the history, all the great players made big shots,' said Hollins, the Memphis Grizzlies coach. ``That's why they're great, not just good.'

``If you're not a clutch player, you're not a great player,' he added. ``You cannot be a great player and not be a clutch player.'

Durant is trying to blaze his own path to greatness with his own successes in the closer's role for the Oklahoma City Thunder. His jumper with 11.1 seconds left in Oklahoma City's Game 1 victory against Memphis on Sunday marked the third time already this postseason that the All-Star has produced the go-ahead basket late in a close game.

He also did it with a 3-pointer in the final minute of Game 3 against Houston in the first round and another 3 with just under 2 1/2 minutes to go in Game 2 against the Rockets.

``That's how you build a legacy. That's how you become a part of the history of this game is by making those great shots,' said teammate Derek Fisher, a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers who has his made his own share of clutch postseason shots and been around for Kobe Bryant making plenty, too. ``And Kevin, only five or six years into the league, is becoming one of those guys that we'll remember forever. It's always great to be on the same team with those kind of guys.'

The Grizzlies led 90-87 entering the final minute of Game 1 after Marc Gasol's hook shot over Kendrick Perkins. Durant hit jumpers on Oklahoma City's next two possessions, and the Grizzlies - who traded away their go-to guy, Rudy Gay, earlier this season - couldn't match him in crunch time.

Instead of stealing Game 1 on the road, they're down 0-1 heading into Game 2 in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

While Durant was doing his damage, Memphis had four possessions in the final minute and didn't get the production needed.

After a Perkins turnover, Tayshaun Prince missed on a runner in the lane and Durant connected to cut the Thunder's deficit to 90-89. Then Mike Conley sped past Fisher, only to get the ball poked out from behind and set up Durant's go-ahead basket in transition.

The Grizzlies countered by trying to feed Gasol in the post, but Oklahoma City disrupted the play and it wound up as a turnover. After Reggie Jackson's two free throws put the Thunder up three, Hollins drew up a play to get reserve Quincy Pondexter open for a 3-pointer.

None of the trips resulted in a shot for All-Star power forward Zach Randolph, who Hollins said Monday he considers his most clutch player. Conley, Gasol and Jerryd Bayless also made his list.

With All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook out for the rest of the playoffs, the Thunder's go-to guy is unquestionably Durant.

``There's no question guys have it and guys don't, and Kevin has it,' Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. ``He loves big moments. I'm sure he's always been that type of player from the day he picked up a basketball. He has it because he has the skill level, he has the ability to get where he wants to get to.

``In order to really have it, you have to be able to understand that some nights it's not going to go for you ... but you have to be able to do it again the next time. So, you have to have that short-term memory.'

Durant has had one of those moments, too, in these playoffs. He was determined to shoot a 3-pointer that could have won Game 4 against Houston, but couldn't get open and instead gave the ball up. Jackson missed a runner and Serge Ibaka couldn't convert the putback as the Thunder lost by two.

``The smaller fraternity of guys that are elite, special, greatest ever is in those situations, they can get the shot that they want. No matter what the defense does, they are going to get to the spot on the floor they want to get to,' Fisher said.

``I've seen Shaq do it, I've seen Kobe (Bryant) do it, I've seen great guys do that. I think for Kevin, he's done it already but I think that's an area where, as he continues to learn how to get the shot he wants every time, he's going to be even more difficult to guard for opponents.'

[StarDust Bum]

Playoff Results - 2nd Round

May 7, 2013


Overall Game Results:

-- Home teams are 2-2
-- Favorites are 2-2 straight up
-- Underdogs are 4-0 against the spread
-- The Over-Under is 2-2

Away Home Score ATS Result Total Result


Sunday May 5, 2013

Memphis Oklahoma City (-3.5) 93-91 Underdog Under (186.5)

Indiana (+5, +200) New York 102-95 Underdog Over (182)


Monday May 6, 2013

Chicago (+13, +900) Miami 93-86 Underdog Under (188)

Golden State San Antonio (-9) 129-127 (2OT) Underdog Over (203)

Tuesday May 7, 2013
Memphis Oklahoma City - - -
Indiana New York - - -

Wednesday May 8, 2013
Chicago Miami - - -
Golden State San Antonio - - -

Friday May 10, 2013
Miami Chicago - - -
San Antonio Golden State - - -

Saturday May 11, 2013
New York Indiana - - -
Oklahoma City Memphis - - -

Sunday May 12, 2013
San Antonio Golden State - - -

Monday May 13, 2013
Miami Chicago - - -
Oklahoma City Memphis - - -

Tuesday May 14, 2013
New York Indiana - - -
* Golden State San Antonio - - -

Wednesday May 15, 2013
Chicago Miami - - -
* Memphis Oklahoma City - - -

Thursday May 16, 2013
* San Antonio Golden State - - -
* Indiana New York - - -

Friday May 17, 2013
Miami Chicago - - -
* Oklahoma City Memphis - - -
Saturday May 18, 2013
* New York Indiana - - -

Sunday May 19, 2013
* Chicago Miami - - -
* Memphis Oklahoma City - - -
* Golden State San Antonio - - -

Monday May 20, 2013
* Indiana New York - - -

*If Neccessary

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Memphis at Oklahoma City
The Grizzlies look to bounce back from their Game 1 loss and take advantage of a Thunder team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 home games. Memphis is the pick (+2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Grizzlies favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+2 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, MAY 7

Game 709-710: Indiana at New York (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 113.902; New York 127.172
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 13 1/2; 180
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 6; 183 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (-6); Under

Game 711-712: Memphis at Oklahoma City (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 127.485; Oklahoma City 126.224
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 1 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 2 1/2; 186
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+2 1/2); Over




NBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, May 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INDIANA (54 - 34) at NEW YORK (58 - 31) - 5/7/2013, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NEW YORK is 50-38 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games this season.
NEW YORK is 47-32 ATS (+11.8 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 6-6 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 6-6 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MEMPHIS (60 - 29) at OKLAHOMA CITY (65 - 24) - 5/7/2013, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 51-36 ATS (+11.4 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 48-33 ATS (+11.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 28-17 ATS (+9.3 Units) in home games this season.
MEMPHIS is 53-33 ATS (+16.7 Units) in all games this season.
MEMPHIS is 55-36 ATS (+15.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 27-17 ATS (+8.3 Units) in road games this season.
MEMPHIS is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points this season.
MEMPHIS is 63-41 ATS (+17.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MEMPHIS is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
MEMPHIS is 40-21 ATS (+16.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 11-8 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-9 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
13 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, May 7

Carmelo Anthony is 35-95 (36.8%) from floor in four games vs Indiana; JR Smith is 15-51 in three losses vs Pacers, 12-21 in two New York Ws. Eight of last 11 Knick games stayed under the total; 11 of last 15 Indy games went over. Pacers won last two away games after losing previous four on road, all by 10+ points. NY is 9-4 vs spread in last 13 games as a home favorite, winning 12 of last 14 at home SU. Indiana's bench was -9 in game 1, but played only 39:00. Hibbert's presence as shot blocker is keeping Knicks away from baskets, and their two gunners haven't shot well against the Pacers this season.

Memphis won four of last five games, losing by hoop here in Game 1, as Martin scored 25 points (+14) off bench, giving OC a scoring threat to compliment Durant. Last three Memphis-OC games were decided by a total of three points; Griz' 14-24 from foul line in last game wasn't good. Grizzlies are 4-1-1 against the spread in last six games as an underdog. Westbrook is out for this series, which puts onus on vet PG Fisher and BC alum Jackson, who had only one turnover in 31 minutes in Game 1. 17 of last 21 Thunder games stayed under the total. Five of last seven Memphis games went over.




NBA

Tuesday, May 7

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:00 PM
INDIANA vs. NEW YORK
Indiana is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing New York
Indiana is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New York's last 8 games
New York is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games

9:30 PM
MEMPHIS vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Memphis's last 15 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Memphis's last 20 games when playing Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Memphis
Oklahoma City is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Memphis


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




NBA

Tuesday, May 7

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday's NBA playoff action: What bettors need to know
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks (-6, 183)

Indiana leads series 1-0.

The New York Knicks had a hard time dealing with the physical play of the Indiana Pacers in Game 1. If the Knicks hope to avoid dropping two straight at home to begin the series, they will need to figure out a way to counter that rugged presence when they host the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday. New York squandered home-court advantage in the series in Game 1, when Paul George locked up Carmelo Anthony.

George got Indiana through the first round on the offensive end and scored 19 points in Game 1 against the Knicks, but his big contribution came on defense. The All-Star forward harassed Anthony and J.R. Smith into bad shots and made sure their charges into the lane went through center Roy Hibbert. The rough play jacked up the foul total for both teams, and the Pacers were able to make their big run in the third quarter when Anthony went to the bench with foul trouble. New York’s star came alive in the fourth quarter, but the deficit proved too great.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE PACERS: Indiana did exactly what it needed to do in winning the first game, setting itself up for at worst a 1-1 draw heading back home for Game 3. The Pacers had trouble when the Atlanta Hawks went to a bigger lineup in the first round but brought plenty of toughness to counter Kenyon Martin and Tyson Chandler in Game 1 against the Knicks. Hibbert proved to be the key, clogging the middle of the lane and staying straight up when challenging shots at the rim to avoid foul calls. Indiana forced New York to play at its pace and George held Anthony to 5-of-17 and Smith to 0-of-7 shooting when he was matched up against the Knicks’ top scorers.

ABOUT THE KNICKS: Anthony was 10-for-28 overall in the contest and is shooting 31.8 percent in the last four playoff games. He mentioned after Game 1 that his ailing left shoulder had bothered him during the contest but declined to use the Pacers’ physical play as an excuse. “The physicality of this game didn’t do nothing to me, to us,” Anthony told reporters. New York’s big problems were on the glass, where they were outrebounded 44-30, and in the paint. The Knicks prefer to play smaller, with Anthony at the power forward spot and a trio of guards. That leads to a difficult defensive match for Anthony on Pacers forward David West, who scored 20 points in Game 1.

TRENDS:

* Pacers are 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings in New York.
* Underdog is 13-6 ATS in the last 19 meetings.
* Pacers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games overall.
* Knicks are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 home games.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The Knicks are 0-5 all-time when losing Game 1 of a series at home. The last time they lost a Game 1 at home was to the Pacers in the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals.

2. Indiana G Lance Stephenson grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in Game 1.

3. New York F Amar’e Stoudemire (left knee) is targeting Game 3 for his return. He has been out since March.



Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.5, 186)

Oklahoma City leads series 1-0.

Kevin Durant refused to let Oklahoma City lose the opener and the Thunder look to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Memphis led most of the contest and took a nine-point lead into the final quarter but Durant capped a 35-point, 15-rebound effort by hitting the go-ahead shot with 11.1 seconds left in the 93-91 victory. The Grizzlies attempt to bounce back from the agonizing loss.

Memphis had won four consecutive postseason games by double digits and carried the flow of play for most of the opener. But Oklahoma City’s rally and some sloppy Memphis possessions down the stretch allowed the Thunder to squeeze out a victory. “It was a game that I think that we all think we should’ve won,” Grizzlies forward Quincy Pondexter said afterward. “We were right there in it and they really did a great job of executing down the stretch.” Durant received offensive support from guard Kevin Martin (25 points) and the Thunder actually outrebounded the Grizzlies 43-41. The free-throw line was also a deciding element as Oklahoma City went 22-of-25 while Memphis struggled to 14-for-24.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Two turnovers in the final 18 seconds did in Memphis in the opener despite the fact Pondexter had a chance to force overtime when he was sent to the free-throw line to attempt three shots with 1.6 seconds left. Point guard Mike Conley had a subpar game and his 5-of-15 shooting line marked the fourth time in five games he has shot below 40 percent. Power forward Zach Randolph fell two points short of his fifth straight 20-point outing while notching his third double-double in five games and center Marc Gasol had his second double-double of the postseason but the inside presence wasn’t a difference-maker despite Oklahoma City post starters Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins combining to make only 2-of-16 shots. Pondexter provided a boost off the bench with 13 points and hit three of Memphis’ seven 3-pointers.

ABOUT THE THUNDER: Martin has back-to-back 25-point outings after being largely disappointing over most of the first-round series with the Houston Rockets. He is 6-for-10 from 3-point range in the two games while helping make up for the scoring void caused by the loss of Russell Westbrook (knee) for the postseason. “It was just moving without the ball, guys getting screens and guys finding me,” Martin said after Sunday’s victory. “We’ve got a nice little flow going right now. We’re just making an extra effort to get everyone involved.” Durant has been stellar with four games of 35 or more points over the last five outings. He is averaging 32.9 points in the postseason despite hitting just 27.3 percent of his 3-point attempts.

TRENDS:

* Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Oklahoma City.
* Over is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings in Oklahoma City.
* Over is 14-6 in the last 20 meetings.
* Underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Road team is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Durant has scored 20 or more points in 33 consecutive playoff games.

2. Memphis SF Tayshaun Prince suffered a hip injury during Game 1 so Pondexter may again receive extended minutes.

3. Thunder G Derek Fisher was fined $5,000 by the NBA for flopping in Game 5 of the first-round series against the Houston Rockets.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Short Sheet

Tuesday, May 7

Conference Semifinals, Game Two (Indiana Leads, 1-0)
Indiana at New York, 7:05 ET TNT
Indiana: 16-6 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points
New York: 1-9 ATS at home revenging a loss as a favorite

Conference Semifinals, Game Two (Oklahoma City Leads, 1-0)
Memphis at Oklahoma City, 9:35 ET TNT
Memphis: 14-5 ATS after playing as an underdog
Oklahoma City: 12-26 ATS off a win by 3 points or less

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

05/06/13 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
05/05/13 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
05/04/13 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail
05/03/13 5-*3-*0 62.50% +*850 Detail
05/02/13 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
05/01/13 4-*2-*0 66.67% +*900 Detail

Totals 15-*13-*0 53.57% +350



Tuesday, May 7

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Indiana - 7:00 PM ET Indiana +6 500 POD # 2

New York - Under 183 500 POD # 4



Memphis - 9:30 PM ET Oklahoma City -2.5 500 POD # 1


Oklahoma City - Over 188 500 POD # 3

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Bulls (45-37) at Heat (66-16)

Date: May 08, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


MIAMI (AP) - The Miami Heat have been in this less-than-ideal spot before.

They trailed Indiana in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, needed to win a pair of elimination games against Boston in the East finals and then dropped Game 1 of the NBA Finals to Oklahoma City. And when it was all said and done, the Heat walked away with the title.

So that might explain why there was no sense of panic in Heat land on Tuesday, and not even much of a sense of anger. Dropping Game 1 of the East semifinals to the Chicago Bulls on Monday night was hardly what the Heat wanted, though could end up serving as a wake-up call for a team that made it through a 66-win regular season without many rough patches.

``We haven't lost in a while, so it was very different to come in here and deal with a loss and to deal with it in the playoffs at home,' Heat guard Dwyane Wade said after a video-and-practice session. ``It was different from the standpoint of what we've been used to lately, but not anything different from what we've been used to as a team. We've been in tough moments. We've lost games before.'

Chicago's 93-86 win in the series opener was filled with statistical anomalies, such as Miami shooting just under 40 percent (its second-worst showing in 87 games overall this season) and the Bulls scoring 35 points in the fourth quarter - matching the most the Heat allowed in the final 12 minutes of regulation all season.

Still, the Heat know some things still need to change, and in a hurry, or else the reigning champions could be in a gigantic amount of trouble.

``Playoffs are all about revealing who you are,' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ``It's either a win or a loss, and so we lost the first game. We have to figure it out, somehow, some way, to win the next game. And that's all it is.

``We have to fight for our playoff lives right now, to play a much harder and much more committed game together tomorrow night.'

Oddly, the same sentiments were being uttered a few miles south of where Spoelstra was standing, with the Bulls saying many of the same things after reviewing tape at their hotel.

Chicago's lineup isn't expected to change for Game 2. Luol Deng, who needed a spinal tap to rule out meningitis last week, still is not with the team, and coach Tom Thibodeau said a decision about flying him to Miami likely wouldn't be made until Wednesday morning - so, barring a seismic change in thinking, there is no way he would play Wednesday night. And guard Kirk Hinrich was limping when the team exited the conference room it used for meetings, suggesting that the calf injury he's dealing with could keep him out of a fifth straight game.

Then again, the Bulls showed on Monday - again - that even their depleted crew is more than good enough to win. Nate Robinson scored 27 points in the opener, even after needing 10 stitches during the game to close a nasty cut on his chin. He came into Monday averaging 9.6 points in 25 previous appearances against Miami.

That's how good it's going for Chicago right now.

``We're not satisfied,' Bulls center Joakim Noah said. ``We've been getting some big victories the last couple games, but we're not satisfied. We're going to stay hungry, make our adjustments and try to play even better.'

The Bulls haven't won three straight road games since mid-January. They have a chance to pull that off Wednesday, coming off a Game 7 win in Brooklyn on Saturday and then stunning Miami in Game 1 two nights later.

If this keeps up, Chicago might struggle to keep the underdog status that it somehow converts into fuel.

``The outside shouldn't matter. It really shouldn't,' Thibodeau said. ``The only thing that matters, really, is what we think. So whether it's praise or criticism from the outside, that's not important. It's what we think on the inside. So we know if we do the right things that go into winning, we're going to have a chance to win and that's all we want to focus in on. All the other stuff, I think, just gets you distracted.'

Noah said he was planning to sit in the sunshine on Tuesday, sip water, maybe squeeze a nap or a massage into his afternoon agenda. In other words, he was basically going to have a mini-vacation.

Make no mistake, though. The Bulls are taking this opportunity super-seriously. That's why the theme of their meetings on Tuesday was about ways to get better.

``Everything,' guard Jimmy Butler - who has played all 48 minutes in three straight games - said when asked about which areas where Chicago needs to see improvement in Game 2. ``We made a lot of mistakes in our offense, our defense. They missed a lot of open shots and we made some shots. I feel that we can execute better, and we will.'

There's no arguing Miami can execute better. Or at least, shoot better.

The tape confirmed what the stat sheet, their eyes, and the eyes of everyone else who watched Game 1 said: Miami missed tons of open shots on Monday night. So while there will be adjustments to make, the simplest way for the Heat to get back on track is just make more shots, easy as that sounds.

``It ain't about Xs and Os in this series,' Heat forward and four-time NBA MVP LeBron James said. ``It's about will and determination to win the series, for both teams. ... We want our shooters to shoot and they will continue to shoot because we will continue to find them. We've got the utmost confidence in them.'

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Warriors (47-35) at Spurs (58-24)

Date: May 08, 2013 9:30 PM EDT


SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Even a day later, the San Antonio Spurs still found it difficult to explain how they won the opener of their second-round series against Golden State.

The Spurs overcame Stephen Curry's 44 points and became the first team in postseason history to rally from a 16-point deficit with 4 minutes remaining and earned a 129-127 victory in double overtime on Monday.

Game 2 is Wednesday night in San Antonio.

``I don't know how we managed to tie the game,' Manu Ginobili said Tuesday. ``We had some really big shots before regulation, in the first overtime and second overtime. It got us the win, but not sure if we deserved it.'

After missing seven straight shots, Ginobili hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining to hand Golden State its 30th straight loss in San Antonio going back to Feb. 14, 1997.

It was a thrilling game, but one the Spurs are eager to push aside.

``Forget about it; it is over,' San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. ``You can enjoy it for a short period of time, but now all that matters is the next game.'

Popovich wants the Spurs to move on because he knows the Warriors can get over a tough loss.

Golden State won three straight in the opening round after dropping the series opener to Denver.

Overcoming that loss to the Nuggets gave the young Warriors a boost in confidence, as did Monday's loss.

``We were the better basketball team for the most part of that game,' Golden State coach Mark Jackson said. ``Now we did some things that we've got to do better, but we've got to leave that game feeling good about where we are.'

The Warriors feel especially good about Curry's performance.

The guard had 44 points, including 22 in the third quarter. He also had 11 assists.

Curry shot 9 for 12 in the third and was 4 for 6 on 3-pointers. At one point in the third quarter, he lost his dribble, calmly scooped up the ball and made a jumper from the top of the key in one fluid motion that exasperated Tony Parker.

Limiting Curry's production in Game 2 is key to San Antonio preserving its home-court advantage.

``We'd like to figure out how to hold Curry below 40,' Popovich said. ``I've got like 10 phone calls out for people asking for suggestions. He's unbelievable, unbelievable. He's something to watch.

``Obviously, we'll try to see if we can figure out some way to limit him a little bit. It's pretty obvious that's a god idea.'

The Spurs held Curry to six points following the third quarter after giving the defensive assignment to Kawhi Leonard, who is 6-foot-7.

``Kawhi did a good job of just running me off the 3-point line and funneling me to help and relying on that second line of defense to step up,' Curry said. ``There are certain plays where I looked at the film and I could have attacked a different angle or on different spots on the floor and still got my jumper off against Kawhi. I'll make my adjustments there.'

The Spurs also benefited from Klay Thompson fouling out.

Thompson had 19 points and five rebounds while defending Parker for much of the game. Parker had 16 points in the fourth quarter and two overtimes.

``The fact that Thompson was out of the game helped a little bit (defensively against Curry), too,' the Spurs' Boris Diaw said. ``That's more help, more shift, but we tried different things. He's a great player, he's tough to stop. I think he got tired too because it was a long game, but we had to try different things, tried to help a little more at the end of the game.'

Curry said while his legs felt a little heavy at the end of regulation, he actually felt stronger in the overtimes.

Slowing Curry helped the Spurs close regulation on an 18-2 run to force overtime, despite losing Tim Duncan for much of the final stretch to a stomach bug.

Duncan left the game with 3 minutes left in regulation and only played the final seconds of each overtime.

Duncan said he was feeling better Tuesday morning.

``I was in the locker room watching it as we were getting closer and closer,' Duncan said. ``I debated whether even coming back out there. Whatever superstition or whatever it may be, I wanted to stay right where I was. It felt bad coming out there and they get a lead again, but was just great to see everything going the way we wanted it go.'

Ginobili's game-winning 3-pointer came 43.7 seconds after he took an ill-advised 3 that appeared to cost the Spurs the game when Kent Bazemore's reverse layup gave the Warriors a 127-126 advantage with 3.9 seconds left.

``I went from wanting to trade him on the spot to wanting to cook breakfast for him tomorrow morning,' Popovich said.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Golden State at San Antonio
The Warriors look to bounce back from their 129-127 loss in Game 1 and build on their 10-1 ATS record in their last 11 games following a SU defeat. Golden State is the pick (+7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Warriors favored by 3. Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+7 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

Game 713-714: Chicago at Miami (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 114.576; Miami 128.522
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 14; 182
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 12; 187
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-12); Under

Game 715-716: Golden State at San Antonio (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 124.796; San Antonio 121.814
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 3; 208
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 7 1/2; 204 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+7 1/2); Over




NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, May 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO (50 - 40) at MIAMI (70 - 17) - 5/8/2013, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 40-49 ATS (-13.9 Units) in all games this season.
MIAMI is 49-38 ATS (+7.2 Units) in all games this season.
MIAMI is 87-73 ATS (+6.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 48-33 ATS (+11.7 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 9-7 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 9-8 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOLDEN STATE (51 - 38) at SAN ANTONIO (63 - 24) - 5/8/2013, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 93-69 ATS (+17.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 77-55 ATS (+16.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 123-89 ATS (+25.1 Units) as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 49-31 ATS (+14.9 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 41-25 ATS (+13.5 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 51-38 ATS (+9.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 138-104 ATS (+23.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 49-39 ATS (+6.1 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 55-41 ATS (+9.9 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 45-32 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all playoff games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 7-5 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 10-2 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, May 8

Lay 12 points to the gritty, banged-up Bulls at your own risk after this well-coached team won consecutive road games as Brooklyn/Miami in a 48-hour span. Butler played all 48:00 Monday; he is averaging over 39 minutes a game in playoffs, after averaging 26.3 in regular season. Bulls are now 3-2 vs Miami this season, going 2-1 here. Heat shot 50.7/51.4% in two games they won, 46.2/48.1/39.7% in three losses. Miami won 12 of its last 13 games overall; they're 5-4 vs spread last nine games they were home favorite. Over is 9-5 in Chicago's last fourteen games.

Steph Curry played all 58:00 in draining loss Monday loss, has to be a tough thing to bounce back 48 hours later; Warriors have now lost 30 in a row in San Antonio, losing by 7-11-2 in this year's visits. Warriors are now 10-0 vs spread in last ten games overall; over is 4-3 in their playoff games. Spurs are now 5-0 in playoffs, with four wins by double digits; Duncan was ill Monday night and missed most of second half, so he is not full strength here. Home team won all five series meetings this year. Klay Thompson was +14 Monday night but fouled out and that hurt.




NBA

Wednesday, May 8

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. MIAMI
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games

9:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Golden State is 6-12-2 ATS in its last 20 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




NBA

Wednesday, May 8

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday's NBA playoff action: What bettors need to know
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat (-12, 187)

Chicago leads series 1-0.

The Chicago Bulls notched a stunning victory in the opener and the Miami Heat seek to bounce back and even the Eastern Conference semifinal series when the teams meet in Wednesday’s Game 2 in South Beach. Chicago scored the final 10 points to close out a 93-86 victory in Game 1 despite again being without starters Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich. Miami was certainly rusty due to a long layoff from sweeping Milwaukee in the first round.

The Heat were out-of-synch much of the game and their defense was horrid in the final quarter when the Bulls scored 35 points. The loss was just the third in the last 44 games for Miami. “We haven’t lost in a while, so it was very different to come in and deal with a loss and to deal with it in the playoffs at home,” guard Dwyane Wade said on Tuesday. “It was different from the standpoint of what we’ve been used to lately, but not anything different from what we’ve been used to as a team.” Chicago will likely be without Deng (illness) for the fourth straight game, and Hinrich (calf) is in jeopardy of missing his fifth in a row. The Bulls now go for an unlikely 2-0 lead. “We’ve been getting some big victories the last couple games, but we’re not satisfied,” Chicago center Joakim Noah said. “We’re going to stay hungry, make our adjustments and try to play even better.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE BULLS: Noah had 13 points and 11 rebounds in the opener for his third straight double-double and fourth in five games. He was plagued by a foot injury late in the regular season and for most of the first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets but has appeared very spry over the last few games. His stellar Game 1 effort helped Chicago post a 46-32 advantage on the boards. “The team that wins the rebounding battle has a big advantage,” Noah said. “If you look at the numbers the last 10 to 15 times we’ve played the Heat, the team that wins the rebounding battle usually comes out with a ‘W.’” Small forward Jimmy Butler had 21 points and 14 rebounds while playing all 48 minutes for the third straight game.

ABOUT THE HEAT: MVP LeBron James with 24 points and Wade (14) were the only Miami players to reach double digits in the opener. James had just two first-half points before exploding for 22 in the second while Wade wasn’t at his best as he continues to deal with a bruised right knee. Center Chris Bosh had just nine points and hasn’t scored more than 16 in the postseason. Miami shot just 39.7 percent from the field and doesn’t expect a second straight subpar shooting performance. “It’s about will and determination to win the series, for both teams,” James said. “We want our shooters to shoot and they will continue to shoot because we will continue to find them. We’ve got the utmost confidence in them.”

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Miami.
* Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
* Heat are 9-15 ATS as double-digit favorites this season.
* Heat are 6-0 ATS in their last six games following a loss.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Chicago PG Nate Robinson had 27 points and nine assists and hit the go-ahead jumper with 1:18 left in Game 1.

2. F Udonis Haslem (four points, three rebounds in 18 minutes) and G Mario Chalmers (five points on 1-of-5 shooting) had poor Game 1 showings for Miami.

3. The Bulls haven’t won three straight road games since mid-January. Chicago won the first-round finale in Brooklyn before winning Game 1 in Miami.



Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs (-7.5, 204.5)

San Antonio leads series 1-0.

The Golden State Warriors have developed a disturbing habit of letting big leads slip away in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. The San Antonio Spurs will try to avoid that big fourth-quarter hole and grab a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals when they host the Warriors on Wednesday. Golden State led by 16 points with under four minutes left in Game 1 only to have the Spurs storm back and eventually win in double overtime.

Manu Ginobili played both the hero and the goat in Game 1 after his ill-advised 3-pointer late in the second overtime led to a layup before Golden State took the lead with 3.9 seconds left. Ginobili made up for that gaffe by draining the game-winning 3-pointer two possessions later. Warriors star Stephen Curry piled up 44 points and 11 assists but fell off in the final minutes and overtime while playing all but four seconds of the 58-minute contest. Golden State has lost 30 games in a row in San Antonio and had everything lining up when Tim Duncan went to the bench with an illness late in the fourth quarter before the Spurs came alive.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Curry scored 22 points in the third quarter and Golden State led by as many as 18 points late in that period. Curry brought out his entire bag of tricks in Game 1 with 3-pointers, floaters in the lane, slashes to the basket and no-look passes with both hands. In the end its was not enough, as the Spurs changed the defensive assignment on Curry to Kawhi Leonard, and even had wide-bodied center Boris Diaw blocking his drives in overtime. The key to the game might have been Klay Thompson, who scored 19 points and played tough defense on San Antonio point guard Tony Parker before fouling out as the Spurs began their late run in the fourth. The Warriors nearly squandered a big lead in the fourth quarter of Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets in the first round before pulling it out. A slew of turnovers and a general lack of offensive execution was the problem both times. “You’ve got to address it,” Curry said. “That should be a guaranteed win if you take care of what you need to take care of. At some point it’s something we’re doing wrong that allows them that momentum and the opportunity to make it a game.”

ABOUT THE SPURS: Ginobili struggled to 5-of-20 from the field in Game 1 but came through when it mattered with a 3-pointer from the right wing off an inbounds pass with 1.2 seconds left. Parker started the rally in the fourth quarter with six straight points as San Antonio closed the frame with an 18-2 burst. Duncan heading to the bench late in the fourth forced the Spurs to go to a smaller lineup with Diaw in the middle, and the big man knocked down a couple of key shots from the perimeter in the final minutes. Duncan collected 19 points and 11 boards but went to the locker room when the Spurs were down big. He returned to the bench for overtime but only entered the game for defensive purposes in the final seconds of each overtime. “From the fourth quarter on we looked like a team that realized we were in the playoffs and it was going to be physical,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. “We looked like we were looking for answers, I thought. In the end we finally woke up.”

TRENDS:

* Warriors are 4-1-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
* Favorite is 18-6-2 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
* Warriors are 5-14 ATS in the last 19 meetings in San Antonio.
* Spurs are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Dominique Wilkins led the Spurs with 22 points off the bench the last time San Antonio lost at home to the Warriors, Feb. 14, 1997.

2. The three previous teams to blow a 16-point fourth-quarter lead in a playoff game over the last 15 seasons all went on to win the next game.

3. Golden State struggled to 14-for-24 from the free-throw line in Game 1.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




NBA

Wednesday, May 8

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Playoff payoff: Warriors perfect 7-0 ATS heading into Game 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It’s been nearly a month since the Golden State Warriors failed to cover the spread, a span of 10 games that stretches over the final three contests of the regular season and into Wednesday’s Game 2 showdown with the San Antonio Spurs.

The Warriors are a perfect 7-0 ATS in the postseason, coming away a pointspread winner in all six first-round matchups with the Denver Nuggets and nearly shocking the Spurs in Game 1, losing 129-127 in double overtime as 9-point road underdogs Monday. Oddsmakers have Golden State set as a 7.5-point road underdog for Game 2.

This profitable run is impressive, especially for the Western Conference’s No. 6 seed and a team that finished the season with a 42-39-1 ATS mark - covering in just under 52 percent of its games.

The last time bettors saw a playoff team start this strong ATS, the 2008-09 Denver Nuggets opened the postseason with 12 straight ATS wins before going 1-3 ATS in their final four games and getting eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals.

The 2000-01 Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, were a dominant bet going 12-3 ATS (14-1 SU) en route to their second of three straight NBA titles in the early 2000s. The 1994-95 Houston Rockets also posted a 12-3 ATS postseason mark (11-4 SU), knocking off O’Neal and the Orlando Magic in the finals.

The 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks finished with a 15-4-2 ATS count (16-5 SU) when they shocked the Miami Heat to win the NBA Championship, including a 3-2-1 ATS record in the finals.

The Chicago Bulls went 13-4 ATS (15-2 SU) in the 1990-91 postseason and knocked off Magic Johnson and the Lakers for the first of Michael Jordan’s six NBA Championships.

The most ATS wins in a single playoff run belong to the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons, who finished 16-6-1 ATS (16-7 SU) and beat Los Angeles in six games in the finals, going 4-0-1 ATS in that series.

Golden State’s second-round opponents, the Spurs, are no strangers to profitable postseason runs. San Antonio went 12-5 ATS in 1998-99, 12-8 ATS in 2002-03, 15-8 ATS in 2004-05, and 14-5-1 ATS in 2006-2007. The Spurs are 4-1 ATS this postseason after Game 1.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Short Sheet

Wednesday, May 8

Conference Semifinals, Game Two (Chicago Leads, 1-0)
Chicago at Miami 7:05 ET TNT
Chicago: 14-25 ATS after a game where they covered the spread
Miami: 20-11 ATS after having won 20 or more of their last 25 games

Conference Semifinals, Game Two (San Antonio Leads, 1-0)
Golden State at San Antonio, 9:35 ET TNT
Golden State: 57-82 ATS in road games after scoring 110 points or more
San Antonio: 17-4 ATS after scoring 110 points or more

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

05/07/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
05/06/13 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
05/05/13 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
05/04/13 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail
05/03/13 5-*3-*0 62.50% +*850 Detail
05/02/13 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
05/01/13 4-*2-*0 66.67% +*900 Detail

Totals 16-*16-*0 50.00% -*800



Wednesday, May 8

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 7:00 PM ET Miami -12.5 500 POD # 2


Miami - Under 186.5 500 POD # 3



Golden State - 9:30 PM ET Golden State +7.5 500 POD # 1


San Antonio - Over 204.5 500 POD # 4

[StarDust Bum]

Denver's Karl wins Coach of the Year

May 8, 2013


DENVER (AP) - George Karl led the Denver Nuggets to a team-record 57 wins without a big name on his roster.

For that endeavor, Karl earned the NBA's Coach of the Year on Wednesday.

He received 62 first-place votes, followed by Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat with 24 votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters. New York's Mike Woodson finished third and San Antonio's Gregg Popovich, who won the award last season, was fourth.

The Nuggets went 57-25 - the league's fourth-best record - and captured the No. 3 seed. But the Nuggets were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors 92-88 in Game 6 last Thursday night.

``I am honored and energized to represent coaching and be their ambassador as coach of the year and continue to symbolize the great coaching there is in the NBA,'' Karl said in a statement. ``There are probably seven or eight guys who are deserving of it and another 10 or 15 other coaches who have done a great job and aren't getting any recognition.''

It's the first time Karl has won the award in 25 seasons in charge. He joined Doug Moe as the only Denver coaches to earn the honor.

The Nuggets surged down the stretch, winning a team-record 15 straight at one point and going 24-4 after the All-Star break. They also won a franchise-best 38 games at the Pepsi Center.

Denver relied on its up-tempo offense and a deep bench to wear out opponents. The team led the league in scoring, fast-break points and points in the paint, with a roster that hardly contained a household name. Speedy point guard Ty Lawson led the team in scoring with 16.7 points a game, which was 31st in the league.

The Nuggets struggled in the playoffs against a Warriors squad led by Stephen Curry, in part because they were without one of their top players, Danilo Gallinari, who was sidelined with a torn ACL.

Although Karl's best season in the Mile High City has earned him critical acclaim, it's also come with some criticism. He's been chided on local radio after a fourth straight first-round exit.

Denver's first-round flameout comes after the Western Conference seemed more wide open with Oklahoma City losing All-Star Russell Westbrook to a season-ending knee injury.

After the postseason elimination, Karl called it one of the most disappointing defeats in his nine seasons in Denver.

Karl boasts a 1,131-756 record with the Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. He's also turned in 21 straight non-losing seasons, which is tied with Phil Jackson for the longest streak in league history.

Moe won the award for the Nuggets in 1987-88, when his team went 54-28.

[StarDust Bum]

Playoff Results - 2nd Round

May 8, 2013


First Round

Overall Game Results:

-- Home teams are 4-4
-- Favorites are 4-4 straight up
-- Underdogs are 6-2 against the spread
-- The Over is 4-3-1

Away Home Score ATS Result Total Result


Sunday May 5, 2013

Memphis Oklahoma City (-3.5) 93-91 Underdog Under (186.5)

Indiana (+5, +200) New York 102-95 Underdog Over (182)


Monday May 6, 2013

Chicago (+13, +900) Miami 93-86 Underdog Under (188)

Golden State San Antonio (-9) 129-127 (2OT) Underdog Over (203)


Tuesday May 7, 2013

Memphis (+3, +125) Oklahoma City 99-93 Underdog Over (189)

Indiana New York (-6) 105-79 Favorite Push (184)


Wednesday May 8, 2013

Chicago Miami (-13) 115-78 Favorite Over (186)

Golden State (+7.5, +270) San Antonio 100-91 Underdog Under (205)


Friday May 10, 2013
Miami Chicago - - -
San Antonio Golden State - - -

Saturday May 11, 2013
New York Indiana - - -
Oklahoma City Memphis - - -

Sunday May 12, 2013
San Antonio Golden State - - -

Monday May 13, 2013
Miami Chicago - - -
Oklahoma City Memphis - - -

Tuesday May 14, 2013
New York Indiana - - -
* Golden State San Antonio - - -

Wednesday May 15, 2013
Chicago Miami - - -
* Memphis Oklahoma City - - -

Thursday May 16, 2013
* San Antonio Golden State - - -
* Indiana New York - - -

Friday May 17, 2013
Miami Chicago - - -
* Oklahoma City Memphis - - -

Saturday May 18, 2013
* New York Indiana - - -

Sunday May 19, 2013
* Chicago Miami - - -
* Memphis Oklahoma City - - -
* Golden State San Antonio - - -

Monday May 20, 2013
* Indiana New York - - -

*If Neccessary

[StarDust Bum]

NBA Coach of the Year Voting

May 8, 2013



Selected by a panel of 121 sportswriters and broadcasters from the United States and Canada. Voting is on a 5-3-1 basis.


Coach 1st 2nd 3rd Total

George Karl, Den 62 26 16 404

Erik Spoelstra, Mia 24 17 19 190

Mike Woodson, NY 6 28 13 127

Gregg Popovich, SA 11 16 17 120

Frank Vogel, Ind 3 11 12 60

Lionel Hollins, Mem 6 4 13 55

Mark Jackson, GS 3 6 14 47

Tom Thibodeau, Chi 2 7 9 40

Kevin McHale, Hou 1 3 3 17

P.J. Carlesimo, Bkn 1 1 - 8

Vinny Del Negro, LAC 1 1 - 8

Larry Drew, Atl 1 - 1 6

Doc Rivers, Bos - 1 1 4

Scott Brooks, OKC - - 3 3