Thursday's Trends and Indexes - 1/23 (NFL, NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet

Thursday, January 23

LA Lakers at Miami, 8:00 ET
LA Lakers: 11-3 Over away after a road ATS win
Miami: 16-6 Over off a SU win but ATS loss

Denver at Portland, 10:35 ET
Denver: 9-1 Over in January games
Portland: 1-10 ATS at home after BB games as road dogs




NCAAB
Short Sheet

Thursday, January 23

St. Johns: 0-7 ATS after allowing 55 or more points

Old Dominion: 1-8 ATS at home vs. conference opponents

Tulane: 9-23 ATS as an underdog

Illinois: 14-29 ATS against conference opponents

Alabama: 11-22 ATS in home games

Memphis: 0-6 ATS at home in January

Nebraska: 0-7 ATS off a home dog win

Cincinnati: 1-10 ATS after playing a road game

Utah: 18-7 ATS as an underdog

San Diego: 4-14 ATS off an away loss by 3 or less points

Pacific: 12-4 ATS as a home favorite

[WThotrod]

As always, appreciate the info. BOL tonight!

[Kaptain]

always appreciate what you do here U Dog...............you're just a lil bit further North than Me, but this damn chill factor of -5 over here is bad enough for me.........how far above Tulsa/Broken Arrow are you........due North or maybe some NE.....

[Udog]

always appreciate what you do here U Dog...............you're just a lil bit further North than Me, but this damn chill factor of -5 over here is bad enough for me.........how far above Tulsa/Broken Arrow are you........due North or maybe some NE.....

Kaptain, I'm about 50 miles NE of Tulsa, straight up the Will Rogers turnpike. I just checked my thermometer outside and it's reading 14 at 1:39. It finally got warm!

[Udog]

As always, appreciate the info. BOL tonight!

Thanks, rod! Good luck to you, too! I don't have a clue what I'm doing tonight. I'm just now starting to look it all over.

[Udog]

NBA

Thursday, January 23

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NBA doubleheader: Lakers at Heat, Nuggets at Trail Blazers
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Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat (-12.5, 210.5)

The Los Angeles Lakers are showing some fight on their seven-game road trip with two wins and an overtime setback at Chicago in the last three contests. The Lakers will try to make it three of four when they visit the defending champion Miami Heat on Thursday. The Heat had dropped four of six before coming through on the defensive end in a 93-86 triumph over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday that marked the start of a four-game homestand.

Los Angeles had dropped six straight before turning things around with a pair of wins at Boston and Toronto. Taj Gibson’s overtime buzzer beater prevented a third straight triumph but Pau Gasol turned in another strong effort and is averaging 22 points and 13.7 rebounds in the last three games. Miami has won three straight at home and LeBron James is enjoying another hot streak while shooting 52.6 percent from the field over the last four contests.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE: The Heat opened as 12-point faves and now sit at -12.5. The total opened at 211 and now sits at 210.5.

POWER RANKINGS: Los Angeles (-0.5) - Miami (-14.3) + home court (-3) = Miami -16.8

ABOUT THE LAKERS (16-26, 23-18-1 ATS): Gasol is holding together a roster short on time together but is helping to coax career-best performances out of the likes of Nick Young and Kendall Marshall. The latest to step up is rookie Ryan Kelly, who is averaging 16.7 points while playing at least 34 minutes in each of the last three contests after failing to score in double figures in any of his first 17 NBA games. The forward from Duke found his way into the starting lineup after putting up 20 points at Boston on Friday and is helping to stretch the defense with his 3-point shooting ability.

ABOUT THE HEAT (30-12, 18-24 ATS): James made some noise before Tuesday’s game about the absence of Dwyane Wade, who missed his third straight game due to knee soreness. “It’s tough,” James told reporters of the injury troubles of Wade and others in the rotation. “We have a team built on chemistry, built on rhythm.” All the chemistry Miami needed down the stretch on Tuesday was James himself, as the star forward scored seven of his 29 points in the final 2:32. Wade, who was held to eight points in back-to-back games last week before sitting out, remains day-to-day.

TRENDS:

* Under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings.
* Home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Underdog is 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
* Lakers are 0-5 ATS in the last five meetings in Miami.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The Heat have taken three straight in the series, including a 101-95 triumph in Los Angeles on Dec. 25 behind 23 points from Wade.

2. Lakers F Xavier Henry (knee) has missed the last 11 games but is expected to practice on Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday.

3. Miami C Chris Bosh is shooting 63.6 percent from the field in the last three wins.



Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers (-7, 221.5)

The Portland Trail Blazers haven’t lost three straight games all season and strive to avoid that occurring when they host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. Portland lost consecutive games to Houston and Oklahoma City to end a four-game homestand and has slipped below both the San Antonio Spurs and the Thunder in the Western Conference race. Denver has lost three of four while allowing an average of 117 points.

The Nuggets won five consecutive games before the recent defensive struggles and will play five of six at home after the visit to Portland. The Trail Blazers led Oklahoma City for most of Tuesday’s contest before Kevin Durant took over late in the game, handing Portland a loss in the finale of a road excursion in which it allowed an average of 110.5 points. Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge has strung together six consecutive double-doubles and is averaging 27.5 points and 15.3 rebounds during the stretch.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE: The Blazers opened as 7-point faves. The total opened at 220.5 and and is up to 221.5.

POWER RANKINGS: Denver (-7.3) - Portland (-10.7) + home court (-3) = Portland -6.4

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (20-20, 18-22 ATS): Denver had been preparing for the return of forward Danilo Gallinari but learned earlier this week that he is done for the season after requiring a second operation on his injured left knee. Gallinari tore his ACL last April and the original prognosis pinpointed a return late this season. “It’s a tough situation,” point guard Ty Lawson told reporters. “He’s been working all year to get back on the court. It’s tough for him. We’re going to be here for him, keep encouraging him and just let him know that we want him back soon.”

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (31-11, 24-18 ATS): Guard Damian Lillard (131) is second in the NBA in 3-pointers behind Golden State’s Klay Thompson (132) but struggled from long range during the road trip. Lillard went 6-of-24 on the excursion – missing all five attempts against Oklahoma City – and dropped his season percentage to 43 percent. Lillard has scored 17 or fewer points in five of the last nine games as Aldridge has been the focal point of the attack with his standout play. Lillard averages 21.2 points – second on the squad to Aldridge’s 24.2.

TRENDS:

* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Nuggets are 0-4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Portland.
* Road team is 3-0-1 ATS in the last four meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Portland defeated the Nuggets 113-98 in Denver on Nov. 1 in this season’s first meeting.

2. Trail Blazers F Nicolas Batum (fractured finger) played 35 minutes against the Thunder but scored just three points.

3. Lawson has nine double-doubles over the last 10 games.


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[Udog]

Betting tale of the tape: College Football Senior Bowl

The 65th edition of the college football's Senior Bowl goes Saturday afternoon in Mobile, Ala., showcasing the nation's top senior collegiate players and NFL prospects ahead of the spring draft.

The end-of-season showcase has seen its share of future NFL star power, with the list of MVPs including Dan Marino (Pittsburgh), Thurman Thomas (Oklahoma State), LaDainian Tomlinson (TCU) and E.J. Manuel (Florida State). This year's rosters are no different, with several players on both sides expected to go early in the draft.

Here's the breakdown in our betting tale of the tape:

Offense

The North is led by standout Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, who isn't among the list of higher-profile pass-throwers entering the NFL draft but could make a major name for himself here. A short-list candidate for the Walter Camp Award, Boyd threw for 3,851 yards with 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the Tigers this season. West Virginia running back Charles Sims is the most skilled offensive player on the roster other than Boyd, racking up 1,095 yards on the ground and 14 total touchdowns - nine of those coming in the Mountaineers' final four games.

Boyd isn't the only draft-eligible QB looking to make a splash in Alabama. Fresno State's Derek Carr will have the attention of scouts from across the NFL as he looks to cap an incredible season that saw him lead the NCAA in passing yards (5,082) and touchdowns (50) while finishing with just eight interceptions on the way to an impressive 11-win season. Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews is the other offensive weapon to watch after erupting for 1,477 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in what was an otherwise mediocre Commodores offense.

Edge: South


Defense

The North boasts an explosive defensive duo in defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman and safety Jimmie Ward. Hageman, at 6-foot-6 and north of 310 pounds, was a standout for the Minnesota Golden Gophers this past season and is listed as a projected first-round pick in the majority of early mock drafts. Northern Illinois' Ward is on the opposite end of the size spectrum - standing just 5-foot-11 - but was one of the top defensive backs in the nation with 77 tackles - 50 solo - and six interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.

The South lacks the defensive difference-makers of the opposition, but still has players who will impress scouts. Washington State strong safety Deone Bucannon has one of the widest wingspans of any defensive back in the game, and hits like a freight train. The Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist led the Pac-12 in tackles (109) while tying for fourth with five interceptions and adding three forced fumbles. Versatile linebacker Christian Jones should also make an impact after racking up 56 tackles for Florida State, including seven in the national title game.

Edge: North


Special Teams

The North boasts Rice placekicker Chris Boswell, who struggled this season after posting an 80 percent success rate over his previous two seasons combined. Boswell connected on just 14-of-21 attempts for the Owls in 2013, including just 8-of-15 attempts from 40 yards and beyond. Iowa State senior Kirby Van Der Kamp led a Cyclones special teams attack that finished sixth in the nation in punting yards, 50th in average and 46th in net yardage.

Auburn placekicker Cody Parkey continued his solid collegiate career with a respectable 2013 campaign for the national finalists. Parkey hit 15-of-21 field goal attempts, but that ledger includes a pair of misses from less than 39 yards and a 1-of-4 success rate from 50 yards and longer. Punting duties will be handled by Alabama's Cody Mandell, whose booming leg helped the Tide average the third-highest yardage in the NCAA (46.9) and the highest net (42.4).

Edge: South


Notable Quotable

"Obviously, I think I can throw. I want to go out there an answer every question possible. There's nothing I feel I can't do. I have nothing to prove to myself, but some people may question the system or how I understand certain things. I want to show that I can go out here and do whatever they need me to do." - Boyd

[Udog]

NASCAR Schedule and Results - 2014

all times eastern

* indicates exhibition race

Upcoming Races

Date Time Race Track
Feb 15 8:00 PM The Sprint Unlimited* Daytona International Speedway
Feb 20 7:00 PM Budweiser Duel 1* Daytona International Speedway
Feb 20 9:00 PM Budweiser Duel 2* Daytona International Speedway
Feb 23 1:00 PM Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway
Mar 2 3:00 PM Subway Fresh Fit 500 Phoenix International Raceway
Mar 9 3:00 PM Kobalt Tools 400 Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Mar 16 1:00 PM Food City 500 Bristol Motor Speedway
Mar 23 3:00 PM Auto Club 400 Auto Club Speedway
Mar 30 1:00 PM STP Gas Booster 500 Martinsville Speedway
Apr 6 3:00 PM Texas 500 Texas Motor Speedway
Apr 12 6:30 PM Bojangles' Southern 500 Darlington Raceway
Apr 26 7:00 PM Toyota Owners 400 Richmond International Raceway
May 4 1:00 PM Aaron's 499 Talladega Superspeedway
May 10 7:30 PM STP 400 Kansas Speedway
May 17 7:30 PM Sprint Showdown* Charlotte Motor Speedway
May 17 9:00 PM Sprint All-Star Race* Charlotte Motor Speedway
May 25 6:00 PM Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway
Jun 1 1:00 PM FedEx 400 Dover International Speedway
Jun 8 1:00 PM Poconos 400 Pocono Raceway
Jun 15 1:00 PM Quicken Loans 400 Michigan International Speedway
Jun 22 3:00 PM Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sonoma Raceway
Jun 28 TBD Quaker State 400 Kentucky Speedway
Jul 5 7:30 PM Coke Zero 400 Daytona International Speedway
Jul 13 1:00 PM New Hampshire 300 New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Jul 27 1:00 PM Crown Royal Brickyard 400 Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Aug 3 1:00 PM GoBowling.com 400 Pocono Raceway
Aug 10 1:00 PM Cheez-It 355 at The Glen Watkins Glen International
Aug 17 1:00 PM Pure Michigan 400 Michigan International Speedway
Aug 23 7:30 PM Irwin Tools Night Race Bristol Motor Speedway
Aug 31 7:30 PM AdvoCare 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway
Sep 6 7:30 PM Federated Auto Parts 400 Richmond International Raceway


Chase for the Sprint Cup

Date Time Race Track
Sep 14 2:00 PM Geico 400 Chicagoland Speedway
Sep 21 2:00 PM Sylvania 300 New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Sep 28 2:00 PM AAA 400 Dover International Speedway
Oct 5 2:00 PM Hollywood Casino 400 Kansas Speedway
Oct 11 7:30 PM Bank of America 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway
Oct 19 2:00 PM Camping World RV Sales 500 Talladega Superspeedway
Oct 26 1:30 PM Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 Martinsville Speedway
Nov 2 3:00 PM AAA Texas 500 Texas Motor Speedway
Nov 9 3:00 PM Quicken Loans 500 Phoenix International Raceway
Nov 16 3:00 PM Ford 400 Homestead-Miami Speedway