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

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Indiana at Miami
The Heat look to follow up their 103-102 win in Game 1 and build on their 6-1 ATS record in their last 7 games after scoring 100 points or more in the previous game. Miami is the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by 9. Dunkel Pick: Miami (-7). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, MAY 24

Game 507-508: Indiana at Miami (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 119.860; Miami 129.059
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 9; 177
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 7; 180 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-7); Under




NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, May 24

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INDIANA (57 - 37) at MIAMI (75 - 17) - 5/24/2013, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MIAMI is 52-40 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all games this season.
MIAMI is 90-75 ATS (+7.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 51-43 ATS (+3.7 Units) in all games this season.
INDIANA is 179-126 ATS (+40.4 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 9-8 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 11-6 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Short Sheet

Friday, May 24

Conference Finals, Game Two (Miami Leads, 1-0)
Indiana at Miami, 8:35 ET TNT
Indiana: 18-7 ATS off a road loss
Miami: 17-6 ATS off BB Overs




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, May 24

Miami is 10-1 in playoffs, its only loss in Game 1 to Bulls; Heat is 2-4 as home favorite in playoffs; over is 3-2-1 in their home games. Indiana beat Miami twice in four meetings this season, with home team winning all four- they had Miami beat in Game 1, but inexplicably took Hibbert out of the game for the last sequence, James got an uncontested layup as the basket was left unprotected. Miami is 46-3 in its last 49 games; for them to lose a short series, everything has to go right for Indiana, which means giving games away isn't good. Heat won by 14-1 points in games played here. Pacers are 2-5 on road during playoffs, with four of five losses by 10+ points (3-4 as road underdogs).




NBA

Friday, May 24

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Trend Report
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8:30 PM
INDIANA vs. MIAMI
Indiana is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Indiana's last 7 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Miami's last 25 games at home
Miami is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Indiana


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NBA

Friday, May 24

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Pacers at Heat: What bettors need to know
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Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat (-7, 180.5)

Miami leads best-of-seven series 1-0.

The biggest concern the Indiana Pacers had before Game 1 was how they would match up when the Miami Heat went to a small lineup. Turns out that those concerns are still around. The Heat will be looking to take a 2-0 lead when they host the Pacers in Game 2 Friday. Indiana elected to leave 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert on the bench on the decisive play of overtime in Game 1, afraid Miami would spread the defense by running Chris Bosh wide.

Turned out the Heat did not need Bosh on the final play, but the Pacers definitely needed Hibbert, as no one was around to stop LeBron James’ hard drive to the rim on the game-winning bucket. “Obviously, with the way it worked out, it would have been better to have Roy in the game,” Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. “But you don’t know. If that happens, maybe Bosh is making a jump shot and we’re all talking about that. James ended up with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists but the Pacers showed that they will not be an easy team to bump off en route to a third straight appearance in the NBA Finals for the Heat.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE PACERS: Lost in the decision-making questions after Game 1 was the play of Indiana forward Paul George, who not only played solid defense on James most of the night but scored 25 of his 27 points in the second half and overtime. The All-Star buried a 32-foot 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime and calmly hit three free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Pacers a one-point lead. But the final play will be the one Indiana looks back at if it falls one win short in the series. Vogel’s idea was to put a switching lineup on the floor and force James to shoot a jumper, but the defense crept up too close on the inbounds pass. “I could see why coach wanted to take me out,” Hibbert said. “With 2.2 seconds left on the clock, they can throw it to Bosh and I’m over-committing in the paint and he can hit a jump shot. My mentality is always to protect the rim.”

ABOUT THE HEAT: James asserted before the series that Miami wasn’t just another team, but a great team. For much of the night on Wednesday, the Heat did in fact look like just another team, equally as good as the Pacers but not head-and-shoulders above. James went about proving himself right on that final play, when he drove toward the basket from above the 3-point line with such force that no one dared get in front of him before he was able to lay it off the glass just in front of the buzzer. “Two teams fought hard,” James said. “We were able to make one more play.” James actually made two driving layups in the final 10 seconds of overtime, the first putting the Heat up by two before George hit the three free throws. Miami struggled to space the floor (5-of-18 from 3-point range) and hit free throws (16-of-25) but got a huge boost off the bench from Chris Andersen, who provided 16 points on 7-of-7 shooting in 18 minutes.

TRENDS:

* Heat are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
* Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
* Pacers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
* Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The triple-double was James’ ninth in his postseason career, one behind Rajon Rondo and Larry Bird for third all-time.

2. Dwyane Wade (knee) played a postseason-high 41 minutes in Game 1 and scored 19 points on 9-of-15 shooting. He expects to be ready for Game 2.

3. The teams combined for 41 turnovers in Game 1.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday, May 24

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Indiana - 8:30 PM ET Indiana +7 500 pod # 2



Miami - Over 180.5 500 pod # 1

[StarDust Bum]

Pacers' Roy Hibbert willing to put himself in harm's way

May 24, 2013 4:13 pm ET

MIAMI -- With 2:50 left in the first quarter of Game 1 between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, Shane Battier drove to the basket on the left side. He launched himself into center Roy Hibbert and created space by putting his knee into the midsection of the defender. An offensive foul was called on Battier and Hibbert crumbled to the ground for a bit.

It's something Hibbert took exception to at the time and Thursday night when it was described as an "inadvertent knee" by Battier. Hibbert responded on Twitter by saying, "U can knee or kick me every time u drive 2the rim. Ill be there 2protect the rim. That wasn't inadvertent. Battier knew what he was doing."

At Friday's shoot around, Hibbert was asked about his tweet and the entire situation and was very candid about his thoughts on it and whether or not he'd be willing to take another hit like that.

"It wasn't in my family jewels; it was more up here," Hibbert said as he pointed to his groin. "I've never seen him do that before, but I'm not sure. I didn't think that was cool. That did not look like a regular shooting motion for a layup."

He added, "It's not a normal shooting motion for a layup. You don't go with your knee by your nipple for a layup."

When he was asked how he's not concerned about being hit in the "family jewels," Hibbert explained, "They pay me all this money. I've got to be there. It's my job. They probably think the mentality is 'you hit him know, make him think about it, and he's not going to go back and put his body in the line of fire again,' but I have no problem with that. I have no problem putting my nuts in the line of fire."

While it's unlikely to happen again, it's not the only thing Hibbert has to deal with against the Miami Heat. The Pacers have to figure out a way to keep the Heat from scoring around the basket, where they made 29 shots in the restricted area in Game 2 and gave up 60 points in the paint. Over the past two days, the talk with the Pacers has been about "helping the helper" and giving Hibbert fewer plays to protect the rim with better perimeter defense and help on his backside when he does have to rotate over to deter someone driving to the basket.

"We've just got to be able to just help the helper," Hibbert said. "That's what Birdman and Chris Bosh made a living off of dump-off passes with stuff like that. We have our hands full, but we can stop the line drives. Hopefully we can protect the paint a little bit better."

The emphasis of the Pacers' defensive adjustments will likely be stopping penetration at the point of the dribbler coming off of a screen on the perimeter. If they can get that to work against the Heat players, then we'll have fewer opportunities for intentional or inadvertent knees in the line of fire.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

San Antonio at Memphis
The Grizzlies look to bounce back from losses in the first two games of the series and build on their 6-0 ATS record in their last 6 home games. Memphis is the pick (-5) according to Dunkel, which has the Grizzlies favored by 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-5). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, MAY 25

Game 509-510: San Antonio at Memphis (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 122.882; Memphis 131.503
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 8 1/2; 175
Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 5; 178 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-5); Under




NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, May 25

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SAN ANTONIO (68 - 26) at MEMPHIS (64 - 31) - 5/25/2013, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 58-34 ATS (+20.6 Units) in all games this season.
MEMPHIS is 41-24 ATS (+14.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
MEMPHIS is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points this season.
MEMPHIS is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) in home games this season.
MEMPHIS is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in all playoff games this season.
MEMPHIS is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
MEMPHIS is 34-17 ATS (+15.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MEMPHIS is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
MEMPHIS is 29-13 ATS (+14.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
MEMPHIS is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 97-72 ATS (+17.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 41-27 ATS (+11.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 55-41 ATS (+9.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 12-8 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 12-8 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
11 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Short Sheet

Saturday, May 25

Conference Finals, Game Three (San Antonio Leads, 2-0)
San Antonio at Memphis, 9:05 ET ESPN
San Antonio: 21-12 ATS after playing 3+ games as a favorite
Memphis: 12-2 Under at home playing with revenge




NBA

Saturday, May 25

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Trend Report
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9:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. MEMPHIS
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of San Antonio's last 18 games when playing on the road against Memphis
San Antonio is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Memphis is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing San Antonio
Memphis is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against San Antonio


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NBA

Saturday, May 25

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Spurs at Grizzlies: What bettors need to know
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San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies (-5.5, 177.5)

Spurs lead best-of-seven series 2-0.

The Memphis Grizzlies are in must-win mode as the Western Conference finals move to the FedExForum for Saturday’s Game 3 against the visiting San Antonio Spurs. The Grizzlies dug themselves out of a 0-2 hole in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers and will need to do so again with San Antonio winning two on its homecourt. The Spurs had a 2-0 lead in last season’s West finals before losing four straight to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Memphis put together a late charge before succumbing 93-89 in overtime in Tuesday’s Game 2. The Grizzlies trailed by 18 points with 14 minutes remaining before rallying to force the extra session but were unable to even the series. “We’re down 0-2,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. “We’ve got to go home and take care of business at home. It’s not going to be easy, but that’s where we are.” Spurs point guard Tony Parker set a personal playoff-best with 18 assists in Game 2 but isn’t relaxing over the 2-0 edge. “We understand that we didn’t do anything,” Parker said. “We just protected home court and we have a long way to go because we know we’re playing a very good team.”

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT THE SPURS: Parker also had 15 points and three steals while bettering his previous personal-best for playoff assists by four. He has been playing with a painful left calf injury suffered in the second-round series against the Golden State Warriors and underwent an MRI exam on Thursday. The results displayed the calf contusion is dissipating and the three-day break without a game also should help Parker be more spry for Game 3. He is averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 assists in the series. Guard Danny Green has been stellar from long range and is 9-for-14 from behind the arc over San Antonio’s last three playoff games, while power forward Tim Duncan has blocked six shots despite shooting 9-for-23 from the field over the first two games.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Power forward Zach Randolph finally got his game going in the second half of Game 2. He had just four points on 2-of-18 shooting over the first six quarters of the series before finding room to operate during Memphis’ second-half comeback. Randolph finished with 15 points and 18 rebounds – including seven on the offensive boards – and center Marc Gasol also had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. The Grizzlies need their star post players to find their shooting touch – Gasol is 11-for-28 from the field and Randolph is 7-for-26.

TRENDS:

* Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.
* Grizzlies are 6-0 ATS in their last six home games.
* Over is 5-0 in Spurs’ last five Conference Finals games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. San Antonio has made 23 3-pointers in the series – including a franchise postseason-record 14 in Game 1.

2. The Grizzlies outrebounded the Spurs 60-46 in Game 2, led by a 19-4 edge on the offensive glass.

3. Spurs G Manu Ginobili failed to reach double digits in either of the first two games and has just one 20-point outing in San Antonio’s 12 playoff games.

[StarDust Bum]

Spurs at Grizzlies, Game 3

May 25, 2013


The Western Conference finals shift to Memphis with the home team desperate for a victory. San Antonio comes to the Grind House on Friday night with a commanding 2-0 advantage in this best-of-seven series.

As of eary this morning, most books had Memphis (64-31 straight up, 57-36-2 against the spread) installed as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 177.5. Bettors can back the Spurs on the money line for a +200 return (risk $100 to win $200).

For first half wagers, the Grizzlies are favored by 3.5 with a total of 88.5.

San Antonio (68-26 SU, 47-45-2 ATS) won Game 1 by a 105-83 count last Sunday as a 4.5-point home favorite. The 188 combined points jumped ‘over’ the 181.5-point total. Tony Parker led five double-figure scorers with 20 points and nine assists for the winners.

Zach Randolph might have played his worst game of the season in the series-opening setback. The Michigan St. product made only 1-of-8 shots from the field, scored just two points and had a plus-minus rating of -28. Quincy Pondexter scored a team-high 17 points for the Grizz.

Game 2 looked like much of the same with San Antonio leading by as many as 18 early in the fourth quarter. However, the Spurs were held to only nine points in the fourth quarter as Memphis rallied to force overtime.

In the extra session, Tim Duncan scored six of his 17 points to propel his team to a 93-89 win. The Grizzlies took the cash as 5.5-point underdogs, while the 182 combined points slipped ‘over’ the 180.5-point total thanks to OT.

Parker suffered through a dismal 6-of-20 shooting performance, but he dished out a postseason career-best 18 assists. He also had three steals and committed only two turnovers. Tiago Splitter chipped in 14 points and Danny Green knocked down 3-of-4 attempts from downtown.

In the losing effort, Mike Conley Jr. and Jerryd Bayless shared team-high scoring honors with 18 points apiece. Randolph still couldn’t buy a bucket, going 6-of-18 from the floor, but he generated 15 points and 18 rebounds and blocked a pair of shots.

Lionel Hollins’s squad has been here before. Memphis trailed the Clippers 0-2 in their first-round matchup but responded with four consecutive victories.

San Antonio has been in a similar situation, too. The Spurs led Oklahoma City 2-0 in the Western finals last year, only to drop four in a row.

Memphis has won all five of its home playoff games both SU and ATS. San Antonio has been tough on the road with a 4-1 record both SU and ATS.

Sportsbook.ag has the updated series price as San Antonio -450, Memphis +350 (risk $100 to win $350). The Spurs were -140 ‘chalk’ to begin the series.

Sportsbook has proposition wagers galore, including a prop for whom will score the first point of the game. Parker is the +500 'chalk' (risk $100 to win $500). The next-shortest odds (+550) belong to four different players: Conley, Randolph, Marc Gasol and Duncan.

The ‘under’ is 50-42-2 overall for the Spurs, 24-20-2 in their road assignments. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies have seen the ‘under’ go 54-40-1 overall, 29-17 in their home games.

ESPN will have the telecast at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

**B.E.'s Bonus Nuggets**

--Roy Hibbert and Paul George led Indiana to a 97-93 win at Miami in last night's Game 2. The series is now knotted at 1-1 with Game 3 slated for Sunday night back in Indianapolis. Hibbert scored 29 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while George finished with 22 points and six assists. The Pacers won outright as seven-point underdogs, hooking up money-line backers with a +250 payout (risk $100 to win $250).

--The 'over' is now 7-1 in the last eight head-to-head meetings between the Pacers and Heat.

--As of early this morning, most books had the Heat favored by one for Game 3 with a total of 182.

--George made one of the best plays of the season last night when he blew past LeBron James into the lane and dunked on Chris 'Birdman' Andersen. It was one of the sickest dunks you will ever see.

--I know George passes a lot more, is a better dribbler and is not as explosive of a scorer (yet) but with all that said.....I see a lot of Dominique Wilkins in George and that's a huge compliment.

[StarDust Bum]

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Grizzlies at Spurs
Sun, May 19 Final 83 to 105
Recaps

GAME 2
Grizzlies at Spurs
Tue, May 21 Final 89 to 93
Recaps

GAME 3
Spurs at Grizzlies
Sat, May 25 - 9:00PM EDT

GAME 4
Spurs at Grizzlies
Mon, May 27 - 9:00PM EDT

GAME 5
Grizzlies at Spurs
Wed, May 29 - 9:00PM EDT

GAME 6
Spurs at Grizzlies
Fri, May 31 - 9:00PM EDT

GAME 7
Grizzlies at Spurs
Sun, Jun 2 - 9:00PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday, May 25

Game Score Status Pick Amount

San Antonio - 9:00 PM ET Memphis -5 500 POD # 1


Memphis - Over 178.5 500 POD # 2

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, May 26

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MIAMI (75 - 18) at INDIANA (58 - 37) - 5/26/2013, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 52-43 ATS (+4.7 Units) in all games this season.
INDIANA is 28-19 ATS (+7.1 Units) in home games this season.
INDIANA is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MIAMI is 52-41 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all games this season.
MIAMI is 28-17 ATS (+9.3 Units) in road games this season.
MIAMI is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) on Sunday games this season.
MIAMI is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs this season.
INDIANA is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) as a home favorite of 3 points or less over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 10-8 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 11-7 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
11 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Short Sheet

Sunday, May 26

Conference Finals, Game Three (Series Tied, 1-1)
Miami at Indiana, 8:35 ET TNT
Miami: 9-1 ATS off 3+ Overs
Indiana: 3-11 ATS off a win by 6 points or less




NBA

Sunday, May 26

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Trend Report
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8:30 PM
MIAMI vs. INDIANA
Miami is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Miami is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Indiana's last 8 games when playing Miami
Indiana is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Miami


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NBA

Sunday, May 26

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Heat at Pacers: What bettors need to know
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Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers (1.5, 182.5)

Best-of-seven series tied 1-1.

The Indiana Pacers had to answer a lot of questions about Roy Hibbert’s time on the court after getting edged out in Game 1. Hibbert was on the court for all the key moments of Game 2, and as a result the Pacers will host the Miami Heat on Sunday with the series knotted at a game apiece. Indiana deployed its large frontline on both ends of the floor in Game 2 and got 29 points from Hibbert while David West made the key defensive plays.

LeBron James scored 36 points for the Heat but got sloppy at the end, leaving passes too close to the long arms of West on consecutive possessions in the final minute with Miami down a point. Those marked two of James’ five turnovers in the contest. “Very disappointed in my judgment and my plays down the stretch,” James said, “but I‘ll make up for them.” The Pacers came within a last-second layup of taking Game 1 in overtime and will carry plenty of confidence back into their own building, where they have gone 6-0 this postseason. “This whole team is showing great desire and heart and belief,” Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. “They believe they can win this series, and they’re giving it all their might.”

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE HEAT: Miami was once again outrebounded by the Pacers, who were able to control the pace for most of the first two games by controlling the glass. Chris Bosh hit a pair of 3-pointers in Game 2 but had only five boards, giving him seven through the first two games. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra even resorted to bringing in seldom-used center Joel Anthony for a few minutes late in the second quarter just to get some size on the floor and give James a break from defending bigger players. Miami still held a four-point edge midway through the fourth quarter and had a pair of chances to tie or take the lead in the final minute before James turned it over. “The first one was a little careless on my part and David West got a hand on it,” James explained to reporters. “And then the second one I saw Ray (Allen) wide open once again and I was careless once again.”

ABOUT THE PACERS: Indiana forward Paul George is becoming a bigger star with each passing game. George (22 points) was not the leading scorer in Game 2 but he again made James work on the defensive end and provided one of the highlight plays with a monster dunk near the end of the third quarter. James followed that with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, and the two All-Stars shared a hand slap on their way back to the respective benches. But the Pacers have proven to be much more than one player, and Hibbert and West on the inside have taken turns bumping and bruising James and Bosh. George Hill hit four free throws in the final minute after missing three earlier in the game and Lance Stephenson once again displayed toughness on the boards and in guarding Dwyane Wade on the perimeter. “We haven’t done anything yet,” Hibbert said. “We won one game.”

TRENDS

* Heat are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games following a loss.
* Pacers are 6-0 ATS in their last six home games.
* Over is 5-1 in Heat’s last six overall.
* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Miami is shooting 30 percent from 3-point range in the series, with Ray Allen (1-for-6) and Shane Battier (0-for-6) struggling the most.

2. Stephenson’s 20 rebounds are the most for any player through the first two games.

3. Indiana reserve F Sam Young suffered a sprained left ankle in Game 2. He is day-to-day.

[StarDust Bum]

Heat at Pacers, Game 3

May 25, 2013

Things are getting interesting in the Eastern Conference Finals after Miami sailed to an 8-1 record in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Following a buzzer-beating victory to steal Game 1, the Heat couldn't capitalize in a four-point defeat in Game 2 to send the series back to Indiana tied at 1-1. The Pacers were in this spot last postseason, but the confidence level has definitely changed this time around.

Indiana finished off Miami, 97-93 to even up the series at one game apiece on Friday night to cash as 7 ½-point road underdogs (+300 on money-line). Paul George continues to ascend towards superstar status for Indiana, scoring 22 points, while Roy Hibbert owned the paint with a 29-point, 10-rebound effort. The controversy surrounding the conclusion of Game 1 involved Hibbert being taken out of the game on the final possession, resulting in an easy lay-up by LeBron James. In Game 2, Hibbert clogged the lane on both sides, while knocking down 10-of-15 shots from the field.

The Heat had plenty of problems shooting the ball in Game 2, hitting 46% of their shots, as Miami didn't help itself from the line with eight missed free throws. Past Chris Andersen's 7-of-7 showcase in Game 1, the Miami bench did very little to assist James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. In Game 2, Miami's reserves put up 19 points on a dreadful 6-of-17 shooting from the floor. Past James' 36 points, Wade and Bosh combined to score 31 points, but Miami needs more contributions moving forward to avoid a potential upset at the hands of Indiana.

The 'over' cashed in each of the first two games, in spite of the extra five minutes played in the series opener. The late desperation three-point heave by George in the final seconds of Game 1 pushed an almost no-doubt 'under' into an 'over' victory, capping off a 105-point second half. In Game 2, the two squads combined for 100 points in the opening half, needing just 83 points in the second half to cash 'over' tickets. A 50-point third quarter solidified the 'over,' while the Heat scored just five points in the final six minutes of regulation.

Miami has now cashed the 'over' in five of the last six playoff games, but Erik Spoelstra's team is 2-1-1 to the 'under' on the road in the postseason. All four of the Heat's wins on the highway against the Bucks and Bulls came by double-digits, while Miami covered each time in the 'chalk' role of at least seven points.

The Pacers have yet to lose at Bankers Life Fieldhouse this postseason, posting a perfect 6-0 SU/ATS ledger. Five of Indiana's six home victories came by at least 11 points, while busting the 106-point mark four times. Even though the Pacers lost twice at home to the Heat in last season's second round, Indiana got revenge with two underdog triumphs at the Fieldhouse over Miami this season.

The Heat hasn't lost many games this season (18), while losing consecutive contests just three times. Since falling at Portland in January, Miami has compiled a 7-0 SU/ATS record off a defeat, including five road victories. In the two visits to Indiana this season, the Heat's offense went cold by scoring only 77 and 89 points.

Chris David breaks down Game 3's opening number, "I'm a little surprised Miami only opened as a one-point favorite, but the number is based on perception and a lot of folks are buying the Pacers right now, especially with the Heat mired in a 0-3 ATS skid. Even though the series is tied 1-1, the Heat should've been sent out at 2 ½ or three-point road favorites. I'm firmly aware that Indiana has been perfect in the playoffs at home, which is solid. However, Miami is 4-0 on the road in the playoffs and it's won and covered all four by double digits, which is a helluva lot more impressive in my opinion."

From the totals perspective, David says to go the opposite way with the series shifting to the Hoosier State, "The 'over' has cashed in the first two installments, but if you handicap totals on pace, then you should lean 'under' for Game 3. Neither team is pushing the tempo, but they've both been aided by a ton of free throws. I expect that number to decline, yet most would expect the Heat's three-point shooting to improve. During the season, Miami shot close to 40 percent from distance and it's only 30 percent (12-of-40) in this series, which includes a 1-of-6 performance from Ray Allen, the best NBA three-point shooter of all-time."

Game 3 tips off at 8:30 PM EST on Sunday night, as the game can be seen nationally on TNT.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Heat (66-16) at Pacers (49-32)

Date: May 26, 2013 8:30 PM EDT


MIAMI (AP) - Chris Bosh stood up in a relatively quiet Miami Heat locker room and offered a concise, blunt and accurate assessment of where things stand so far in the Eastern Conference finals.

``Our backs are against the wall,' Bosh said.

He's absolutely correct. Advantage, Indiana.

Over the first two games of these Eastern Conference finals in Miami, it was Indiana that primarily had control, never allowing the reigning NBA champions to hold anything more than a five-point lead. The Pacers got a split for their efforts, and now head home to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Sunday night, surely aware that they've already taken a huge step toward pulling off what would undoubtedly be called a huge upset.

``It's even. It's 1-1,' Pacers star Paul George said. ``They have the possibility of a split as well and taking home-court advantage back. So it's even. We don't feel like they've got the upper hand on us. We don't feel like we've got the upper hand on them.'

If they were inclined, the Pacers could be justified to feel otherwise.

Other than letting Game 1 slip away when LeBron James was allowed basically unfettered access to the rim for an easy score on the final play of overtime, Indiana couldn't have asked for more out of its few days in South Florida. The Pacers handed the Heat what became their fourth loss in 50 games. They grabbed home-court advantage. They had the Heat juggling rotations more than at any point so far in this postseason.

Maybe most importantly, they get a sports rarity: A do-over.

A year ago, the Pacers split two games in Miami, took the series back to Indianapolis and couldn't ultimately finish the job. Losing to the Heat last season has haunted the Pacers to some extent ever since, so perhaps it's fitting that a year later - albeit one round deeper into the playoffs - the same scenario has presented itself again.

``This whole team is showing great desire and great heart and great belief,' Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. ``And that's the only way to put what these guys are doing right now, is they believe we can win this series, and they're giving it all their might. All their might. And they're playing with confidence and they are rising to the challenge. I'm very, very proud of them. We still have a lot of work to do. We all understand that.'

So far in this postseason, work has seemed easy for the Pacers in Indianapolis.

Indiana is 6-0 at home in these playoffs, winning by an average of 14 points. The Heat are 4-0 on the road this postseason, also winning those games by an average of 14 points.

Welcome to the ``something's got to give' scenario.

``We just stay even-keeled,' James said. ``We don't get too high, we don't get too low in the series. We know we're going to go into a hostile environment against a very good team, and we look forward to the challenge.'

It wouldn't be surprising if James spent the 45 hours spanning the end of Game 2 to the start of Game 3 replaying two passes in his mind, over and over again.

With the Heat down two, James twice tried to get passes to Ray Allen in the final 45 seconds. Both were broken up by West for turnovers that doomed Miami's comeback hopes, and it was just the second time in James' last 442 games where he was charged with two turnovers in the final minute of a fourth quarter, according to STATS.

Indiana's defensive brilliance in this series goes beyond making passing lanes disappear late in Game 2.

The Pacers defended the 3-pointer better than anyone in the league during the regular season, while Miami had the second-best percentage from beyond the arc. That matchup has been all Indiana so far, with the Pacers keeping the Heat to a 30 percent clip. Ray Allen, the most prolific 3-point shooter in league history, is 1 for 6 from that distance. Shane Battier is 0 for 6. Norris Cole, who came up big in the Chicago series, is 1 for 4.

``We're a growing and evolving team,' Pacers center Roy Hibbert said. ``I think our defense really won us the game for us. ... A lot of times teams just start buckling, and we've been through the wringer before. We're young guys, but we know what we're doing.'

Hibbert - a matchup nightmare for Miami - has made 19 of 33 shots in the series, averaging 24 points and 9.5 rebounds. George has scored 49 points in the two games. West has scored 39, got to the foul line more than anyone else in the first two games, and made the two huge defensive plays late in Game 2 while being asked to guard a sharpshooter like Allen, no less.

``Take nothing away from their `Big Three' and what they have going,' George said, referring to James, Dwyane Wade and Bosh. ``But we'll take a `Big Five' any day. And that's what we have. We have a `Big Five' where we have guys who can make plays and we don't lean on one guy. It's a team contribution and that's how we play the game.'

James has scored 66 points in the series, one less than what Wade and Bosh have combined for against the Pacers. He also leads the Heat in free throws made and attempted, offensive rebounds, total rebounds and assists in the series.

Even the Pacers' George Hill compared James to God after Game 2. And it was James who, with a brilliant effort in Indianapolis last year, found a way to save Miami in that series. He sounds eager to try and make it happen again.

``I am very disappointed in my judgment and my plays down the stretch,' James said. ``But I'll make up for them.'

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pacers at Heat
Wed, May 22 Final 102 to 103
Recaps

GAME 2
Pacers at Heat
Fri, May 24 Final 97 to 93
Recaps

GAME 3
Heat at Pacers
Sun, May 26 - 8:30PM EDT

GAME 4
Heat at Pacers
Tue, May 28 - 8:30PM EDT

GAME 5
Pacers at Heat
Thu, May 30 - 8:30PM EDT

GAME 6
Heat at Pacers
Sat, Jun 1 - 8:30PM EDT

GAME 7
Pacers at Heat
Mon, Jun 3 - 8:30PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Wade's Cheap Shot On Pacer ??

League officials looking at Wade's wayward elbow on Stephenson - CBSSports.com

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday, May 26

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Miami - 8:30 PM ET Indiana +1.5 500 POD # 1



Indiana - Under 181.5 500 POD # 2

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Miami at Indiana
The Pacers look to build on their 6-0 ATS record in their last 6 home games. Indiana is the pick (+1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Pacers favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+1 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, MAY 26

Game 511-512: Miami at Indiana (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 123.526; Indiana 125.393
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 2; 186
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 1 1/2; 181 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+1 1/2); Over

[StarDust Bum]

Game 4 - Spurs at Grizzlies

May 26, 2013


While the Eastern Conference Finals continues to go back and forth between the Heat and Pacers, the Western Conference Finals are nearly finished. The Spurs seek their second sweep of the postseason with a victory on Monday at Memphis, while San Antonio looks for its first NBA Finals appearance since 2007.

For the second straight game, the Spurs needed overtime to stave off the Grizzlies, but the road to a Game 3 triumph went a different direction than Game 2. In the second contest of this series, the Spurs squandered an 18-point advantage before grabbing a 93-89 triumph in OT, but failed to cover as 5 ½-point 'chalk.' However, Gregg Popovich's team fell behind by as many as 18 points in Game 3, but put together a spirited comeback for the 3-0 series edge.

Memphis entered Saturday's contest not losing a home playoff game in five tries, as the Grizzlies built a seemingly commanding 29-13 advantage. San Antonio trimmed the deficit to four points by halftime, while taking the lead for a short time in the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies tied the game to send things to overtime, but the Spurs took over in the extra session by outscoring Memphis, 18-7 to capture a 104-93 road victory as 4 ½-point underdogs (+190 on the money-line).

The old stalwarts stepped up for the Spurs in Game 3, as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker combined to score 50 points, including seven points from Duncan in overtime. Tiago Splitter shot an efficient 5-for-5 from the floor for 11 points, while Manu Ginobili chipped in 19 points off the bench. The Grizzlies struggled shooting the ball by hitting just 39% from the field, including 33 missed shots combined from Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph.

Each of the last two games between these teams have finished 'over' the total, even though both were destined to hit the 'under' assuming the game did not go past regulation. VegasInsider.com's Chris David analyzes the totals throughout this series, "I've played the 'under' the in last two games in this series and I've been burnt twice with the extra session. Game 1 went 'over' as well, but that was helped with a 58-point fourth quarter, which is an anomaly for these teams. The total for Monday is hovering around 181 points and despite the previous outcomes, I'd come back with the 'under' again just on the principal of pace. If they shoot above their averages and exceed their norm in the free throw department, you accept the loss and move forward."

The Spurs improved to 5-1 SU/ATS on the highway in the postseason, with the lone defeat coming in overtime at Golden State in Game 4 of the previous round. San Antonio has won outright in two road underdog opportunities, while compiling a 9-4 ATS record overall in the playoffs.

Memphis is 4-1 to the 'over' in the last five home playoff contests, with the only 'under' coming on a 187 ½ total against Oklahoma City in last round (all four 'overs' came on totals of below 185). The Grizzlies have put together the best ATS record in the postseason at 11-3, including a 5-1 ATS mark at home, in spite of the Game 3 loss.

David says it's dangerous to look at Memphis in this spot as a favorite, "Backing a team in a must-win situation is never a good bet in my opinion and certainly isn't here with Memphis. If you've watched every game, it's obvious that San Antonio is the better all-around team and if it wasn't for its inability to close, the last two games wouldn't have had the dramatics of overtime. Catching points with San Antonio seems like a gift, when you look at its road tendencies in the playoffs, especially on defense. They haven't allowed a team to bust 100 points in six road games, which has led to a 5-1 record both straight up and against the spread. Also, all five of the Spurs' wins during this stretch have come by double-digits as well."

The Grizzlies opened up as a three-point favorite, but that number has dipped down to 2 ½ points at most books. The total sits at 180 ½ for Game 4, as the contest tips off at 9:00 PM EST and can be seen nationally on ESPN.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Spurs (58-24) at Grizzlies (56-26)

Date: May 27, 2013 9:00 PM EDT


MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Go ahead and call the San Antonio Spurs old. They're also experienced enough to know what to do only a win away from their first NBA Finals berth since 2007.

Finish off the Memphis Grizzlies.

``Absolutely, absolutely,' Spurs center Tim Duncan said Sunday before a short practice. ``We know they're not going to lay down. We're going to have to beat them. We understand what we have going here, and we understand that we want to finish is as quickly as we can.'

The Spurs wasted a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference final a year ago when Oklahoma City won four straight games.

They know time is running out for their current Big Three, featuring the 37-year-old Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili along with coach Gregg Popovich. The franchise is in its 16th straight postseason has four NBA titles but hasn't played in the Finals since 2007 at a time when Ginobili recalls the Spurs were being called old even then.

San Antonio are up 3-0 after rallying from an 18-point deficit in the first quarter Saturday night and winning 104-93 in overtime. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili took turns scoring points in the fourth quarter and beyond after the Spurs played so ugly in the first 12 minutes that Ginobili said Sunday he still wasn't sure how they won.

It certainly didn't hurt that the Spurs had a three-day layoff between Games 2 and 3 with both going to overtime. If they win Game 4 on Monday night and sweep the Grizzlies on out of the postseason, the Spurs can rest up until Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off June 6.

``We want to finish as soon as we can for a lot of different reasons,' Parker said. ``I think that we should give them no hope, and it's always sweet to win on the road. I'm pretty sure the whole team understands that we have to keep taking nothing for granted and keep playing our game and try to finish tomorrow.

The Grizzlies find themselves in the exact same position as this franchise's first postseason in 2004 - trying to avoid being swept by the Spurs. San Antonio finished off that sweep, and history shows all 107 teams leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven series have never lost.

But Memphis is the first team in NBA history to fall behind 0-2 and win four straight by double digits.

The Grizzlies did just that in the first round in knocking off the Clippers, then ousted the West's No. 1 seed in Oklahoma City. Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins played for Portland when the Trail Blazers fell behind 0-2 against Philadelphia in the 1977 NBA Finals and won four straight for the title.

``My hope though is for us to not listen to you guys and say that it's never been done before, that it's just a matter of time before the series is over and to reach down in their soul and dig for something that they didn't know they had because that's what you have to do to win a championship,' Hollins said.

The Grizzlies know they easily could be up 2-1 right now if they just finished in regulation each of the past two games. Guard Mike Conley missed the basket on a drive at the buzzer when Memphis had the ball last Saturday night. The team that set the NBA record once losing its first 12 playoff games hasn't been swept in the postseason since 2006.

``We have a lot of pride in this team, in this city,' Conley said. ``It's more than just basketball here, and we owe it to ourselves, owe it to the fans to not get swept and get embarrassed on our home court.'

The Grizzlies' biggest challenge is shooting better, both overall and at the free throw line. They shot only 39.2 percent (38 of 97) Saturday night and would not have needed overtime if they hadn't gone 10 of 18 at the free throw line. Zach Randolph is only 7 of 16 at the line after not even getting a free throw attempt in Game 1.

Randolph has an NBA-best seven double-doubles this postseason but isn't scoring as he did against the Clippers or Thunder. Randolph went 1 of 4 in the fourth quarter and overtime combined Saturday night.

``We ain't been down like this, 0-3, so it's a different mindset,' Randolph said. ``It's now do or die. We've got to come out tomorrow and come out like we came out last game and just sustain it and not break down towards the end of the game.'

The Spurs have been able to frustrate Randolph down low and limit his easy putbacks. The Grizzlies got 19 offensive rebounds but only converted those into 21 points.

With Tiago Splitter and Matt Bonner helping defend Randolph, Duncan looked much more like the two-time MVP of 2002 and 2003. He played 44 minutes, scored the first five points in overtime and finished with a double-double on 24 points and 10 rebounds. He also had five assists and two blocks.

``Timmy has been a consummate professional from the day he got into the league,' Popovich said. ``This isn't anything new for him, playing with the passion he's playing with. He loves basketball, he loves his teammates, and he decided again he needed to be more aggressive when the overtime period came.'

The same Spurs who scored only 13 points in the first quarter outscored the Grizzlies 18-7 in overtime with Duncan scoring seven. That puts San Antonio on the verge of getting Duncan back to the Finals possibly for the last time in his career.

``That'd be unbelievable,' Parker said. ``It'd be amazing, and hopefully I can talk about it more after we win tomorrow. Let's focus on tomorrow, and then we got what, 10 days to talk about that?'

Notes: Workers got busy as soon as Game 3 wrapped up Saturday night taking down equipment, flipping the basketball arena to be ready for a concert by Paul McCartney on Sunday night. They had much of the stage in place as the Grizzlies began practice, but they will have to flip everything back for Monday's morning shootaround with Game 4 on Monday night.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Grizzlies at Spurs
Sun, May 19 Final 83 to 105
Recaps

GAME 2
Grizzlies at Spurs
Tue, May 21 Final 89 to 93
Recaps

GAME 3
Spurs at Grizzlies
Sat, May 25 Final 104 to 93
Recaps

GAME 4
Spurs at Grizzlies
Mon, May 27 - 9:00PM EDT

GAME 5
Grizzlies at Spurs
Wed, May 29 - 9:00PM EDT

GAME 6
Spurs at Grizzlies
Fri, May 31 - 9:00PM EDT

GAME 7
Grizzlies at Spurs
Sun, Jun 2 - 9:00PM EDT