Da Bum's 2014 NBA Playoff Best Bets- News,Stats-Trends !

[StarDust Bum]

Record in the playoffs as of Wednesday Night :

10 - 6 ..............................*****

7 - 4 ..............................double play

3 - 7...............................triple play


Friday, April 25

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Toronto - 7:00 PM ET Toronto +5 500 *****
Brooklyn - Under 191.5 500 *****

Chicago - 8:00 PM ET Chicago +2.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Washington - Over 181.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

Houston - 10:30 PM ET Portland -2.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Portland - Under 214.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday's Early Action

April 25, 2014


**Pacers at Hawks**

-- Atlanta (40-45 straight up, 40-44-1 against the spread) took a 2-1 series lead over Indiana with Thursday's 98-85 win as a two-point home underdog. Jeff Teague was the catalyst, scoring a game-high 22 points while also dishing out 10 assists. With the exception of the second half of Game 2, the Wake Forest product has dominated this series by getting into the lane off of dribble penetration whenever he feels like it. Kyle Korver added 20 points in the Game 3 triumph, knocking down 4-of-7 attempts from 3-point range. Paul Millsap made just 3-of-11 shots from the floor, but he found a way to produce 14 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.

-- Paul George's lockdown defense on Teague in the second half of Game 2 was pivotal. However, when he got his second personal foul very early in the first quarter of Game 3, that strategy went out the window for Frank Vogel. George never got into a rhythm offensively and scored only 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting from the field. He did pull down 14 boards and handed out four helpers. If there was a bright side to Game 3 for Indiana, it was the inspired play of Lance Stephenson, who tallied 21 points, 13 boards, four assists and three steals.

-- Atlanta only shot 38.4 percent from the field and got out-rebounded by a 51-41 margin in Game 3. Nevertheless, it got into the win column in large measure thanks to converting 30-of-37 attempts from the free-throw line.

-- These long-time Eastern Conference adversaries have now faced each other seven times this year, and the Hawks have prevailed in four of those meetings.

-- For Game 4, most books have installed Indiana (57-28 SU, 39-45-1 ATS) as a two-favorite with a total of 186.5. Bettors can take the Hawks to win outright for a +115 return (risk $100 to win $115).

-- The updated series price at Sportsbook.ag has the Pacers as -140 favorites, while the Hawks are +120 underdogs.

-- In its last eight games as an underdog, Atlanta owns a 7-1 spread record with six outright victories.

-- The Hawks are 26-16 SU and 22-20 ATS at home this season. Meanwhile, the Pacers are 21-21 SU and 17-25 ATS on the road.

-- The 'over' is 45-39-1 overall for Atlanta, but the 'under' is 22-20 in its home games.

-- The 'under' is 46-36-3 overall for Indiana, 20-19-3 in its road assignments.

-- The 'under' is 2-1 in this series so far, cashing in back-to-back contests. The combined scoring outputs have been 194, 186 and 183.

-- Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Eastern on TNT.

**Spurs at Mavericks**

-- Dallas (50-34 SU, 46-38 ATS) pulled even in this best-of-seven series by cruising to a 113-92 win in Wednesday's Game 2 at San Antonio. The Mavs won outright as 7.5-point underdogs, hooking up money-line supporters with a tasty +340 payout (paid $340 on $100 wagers). They shot 48.9 percent from the field, won the rebounding battle (35-32) and forced 22 turnovers while committing just seven.

-- Monta Ellis scored a team-high 21 points in the Game 2 victory. Shawn Marion added 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field. He also had five rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists. Devin Harris, who had 19 points and five assists in Game 1, had another stellar performance in Game 2, finishing with 18 points, five assists and four rebounds. Harris made 7-of-9 shots from the field.

-- In the losing effort, Manu Ginobili scored a game-high 27 points in just 22 minutes of playing time off the bench. Ginobili made 9-of-12 attempts from the field and drained 5-of-6 shots from beyond the arc. He was terrific in Game 1, too, scoring 17 points and pulling down six rebounds.

-- Tony Parker scored just 12 points in Game 2 and perhaps more disconcerting for Gregg Popovich, he had as many assists (three) as turnovers (three). After producing 27 points and seven rebounds in Game 1, Tim Duncan finished with only 11 points and seven boards in the Game 2 loss.

-- For Game 3 back in Dallas, most spots have made San Antonio (63-21 SU, 45-39 ATS) a 3.5-point 'chalk' with a total of 202.5. Gamblers can take the Mavs on the money line for a +145 return (risk $10 to win 145).

-- The updated series price at Sportsbook.ag: San Antonio -420, Dallas +330.

-- Dallas has been a home underdog seven times this season, going 2-5 both SU and ATS. The Mavs are 26-15 SU and 17-24 ATS at home.

-- San Antonio has been dynamite on the road all year, going 30-11 SU and 25-16 versus the number. The Spurs have seen the 'over' hit at a 23-18 clip in their road assignments.

-- The 'over' has gone 24-17 for Dallas in its home games.

-- Dallas has failed to cover the number in five consecutive home games. In addition, the Spurs have won four straight at Dallas both SU and ATS.

-- These teams have now faced each other six times this season, with San Antonio going 5-1 SU and 3-3 ATS. The 'over' is 4-2 in those encounters, cashing in three of the last four meetings.

-- Despite losing homecourt advantage against the eighth-seeded Mavs, San Antonio maintains the second-shortest future odds (behind the Heat's +160 price) at Sportsbook.ag (+340). The Mavs are 60/1 longshots.

-- TNT will have the telecast at 4:35 p.m. Eastern.

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday's Late Action

April 25, 2014


Miami (56-28) at Charlotte (43-41)

Eastern Conference First Round - Game 3
Miami leads series 2-0
Tip-off: Saturday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Miami -5.5, Total: 188

The Bobcats look to avoid a 3-0 series deficit on Saturday when they host the Heat in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

Miami had a double-digit lead going into the second half of Game 2, but Charlotte battled its way back before eventually losing 101-97 to suffer an 18th straight defeat in this series. But now the series shifts to Time Warner Cable Arena, where the Bobcats are 25-16 SU (24-15-2 ATS) this season, while the Heat are only 22-19 SU (19-20-2 ATS) on the road this season.

And despite Miami's SU series dominance, which includes a 9-3 ATS mark in the past dozen meetings overall, the teams are an even 9-9-1 ATS in 19 all-time games in Charlotte, with the past five meetings all finishing Over the total. Both teams have positive betting trends here, as in the past two seasons, the Heat are 32-18 ATS (64%) after failing to cover in three of their previous four games. They are also facing an opponent that is 13-25 ATS (34%) after playing two consecutive road games over the past two seasons. However, the Bobcats are 9-1 ATS in home games when playing six or less games in 14 days this season, and are also 33-22 ATS (60%) as an underdog this season.

Although Charlotte PF Josh McRoberts avoided a suspension for an elbow to the throat of LeBron James, teammate C Al Jefferson will continue to play at less than 100 percent due to plantar fasciitis in his foot. Miami has no significant injuries

SF LeBron James (29.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.0 SPG in series) has had his fingerprints all over this series so far. Whenever Miami needs him to make a play, James is finding a teammate or attacking the rim. The Bobcats do not have an answer for the forward, and his 32 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals in Game 2 is just a sign of what’s to come in the next few games.

PF Chris Bosh (16.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 1.5 SPG in series) finally had a big game for Miami on Wednesday with 20 points (8-of-11 FG, 4-of-5 threes), five rebounds and two blocks in 32 minutes. The Heat will need Bosh to knock down his jumpers throughout the rest of the playoffs, as he is their only big man capable of putting up points.

SG Dwyane Wade (19.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG in series) didn’t need to do much for the Heat to win Game 2, finishing with just 15 points (4-of-10 FG), six rebounds, four turnovers and a poor rating of minus-9 in 35 minutes of play.

PG Mario Chalmers (9.0 PPG, 2.5 APG in series) played excellent defense on Kemba Walker in Game 2, and also knocked down his shots when he needed to. He finished the game with 11 points (3-of-7 FG, 2-of-4 threes), three assists and just one turnover in 30 minutes and gave a big boost for the team on both ends of the floor. The Miami bench also played well on Wednesday, as the five reserves combined for 21 points (8-of-18 FG), 13 rebounds and a stellar +51 rating.

Charlotte played an excellent second half in Game 2, but is now in a must-win situation for Game 3. C Al Jefferson (18.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG in series) has been dealing with a lingering foot injury but still logged 40 minutes on Wednesday and finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds (5 offensive). He is the best post player in this series, and a guy that the Bobcats can dump the ball into and rely on for offense whenever they need it.

SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (13.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG in series) had one of his best games as a pro in Game 2 with 22 points (9-of-13 FG), 10 rebounds and a +11 rating in 34 minutes. The Bobcats rely on Kidd-Gilchrist for his defense, but he was able to find holes attacking the Miami big men, and if this continues, Charlotte has a real chance of getting back into this series. While Kidd-Gilchrist made 69% of his shots in Game 2, the rest of his team shot only 37% from the floor.

But for the Bobcats to win, PG Kemba Walker (18.0 PPG, 7.0 APG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG in series) must break out of his shooting slump. Walker has not been the same since returning from a groin injury, making just 18-of-58 FG (31%) in four games. But he has kept the defense honest this series by knocking down 7-of-15 threes, and his decision making in Game 2 (8 assists, 2 turnovers) was much better than what he did in the series opener (6 assists, 6 turnovers). SG Gerald Henderson (10.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG in series) has also been off the mark at 40% FG and 0-for-6 threes in the postseason. During the regular season, he averaged 14.0 PPG on 43% FG and 35% threes.

Oklahoma City (60-25) at Memphis (52-33)

Western Conference First Round- Game 4
Memphis leads series 2-1
Tip-off: Saturday, 9:35 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Oklahoma City -2.5, Total: 188

The Thunder are in a must-win situation as they look to avoid a 3-1 series hole against the Grizzlies on Saturday night.

Oklahoma City was down 17 points midway through the fourth quarter in Game 3, but battled back to tie it on a Russell Westbrook three-pointer. A four-point play by Westbrook sent the game to overtime, but the Grizzlies were able to get their second consecutive overtime victory in the series, prevailing 98-95. The Thunder need bigger performances from their supporting players, as they got only 35 points from everybody else besides Westbrook and Kevin Durant. This is adding pressure to the duo as they combined to go just 17-of-53 from the field and 4-of-21 from the three-point line).

One positive note the Thunder (44-40-1 ATS overall, 20-22 ATS on road) can take out of the game was the way they defended at the end of regulation, which allowed them to get back into the game. However, for the team to win, they will have to defend the frontcourt of the Grizzlies much better early in the game. Memphis (38-44-3 ATS overall, 18-23-1 ATS at home) was able to outscore Oklahoma City 62-48, in the paint, despite a tough night from Zach Randolph (16 points, 5-of-20 FG). Randolph got off to a nice start in the first half, but had a stretch in the second half where he missed eight consecutive shots. Despite not shooting free throws well in the regular season, the Grizzlies once again connected on a good percentage from the free-throw line in Game 3 (12-of-15).

However, the biggest reason why Memphis was able to get the win was a huge performance from its reserves, outscoring the Thunder’s bench, 34-9. If that happens again, it will be very difficult for Oklahoma City to avoid a 3-1 hole. Memphis holds a 13-6 ATS advantage (10-9 SU) in this series over the past three seasons, including 5-3 (SU and ATS) at FedEx Forum.

Although the Grizzlies are just 6-23 ATS (21%) after three straight games of committing 14 or less turnovers this season, they are also 39-24 ATS (62%) versus good shooting teams (46%+ FG) over the past two seasons.

Despite a very tough offensive night for the Thunder on Thursday, the team had a chance to win the game in the final minutes. SF Kevin Durant (33.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.7 APG in series) finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and five blocks in Game 3, but really struggled from the field, missing on all eight of his three-point attempts. He was getting good looks, but at one point in the second half, he got an offensive rebound and missed a two-foot shot, which showed what kind of night it was for Durant. While he struggled offensively, he played a terrific defensive game. There were many times when Durant and PG Russell Westbrook (27.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 5.0 APG in series) weren’t on the same page when trying to get each other the ball. Look for the Thunder to run a lot more pick-and-roll with their two stars, rather than posting Durant against Tony Allen. Westbrook at times was dominant in Game 3, evidenced by his 30 points, 13 rebounds, but took some bad shots when the Thunder were making their comeback.

PF Serge Ibaka (14.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.0 BPG) was the only other player to reach double figures for Oklahoma City with 12 points and five rebounds.

Guys like PG Derek Fisher (4.7 PPG on 36% FG in series), SF Caron Butler (4.0 PPG on 25% FG in series) and PG Reggie Jackson (5.0 PPG on 16% FG in series) all have the ability of having big scoring nights, but have all shot horribly during this series. Saturday night is going to come down to a basic part of the game for The Thunder, who simply have to hit more shots. Just like the Grizzlies in Game 1 when they shot 36% FG, Oklahoma City was in position to win despite shooting terribly (39% FG). Correct that on the offensive end and the Thunder will be in great shape to tie the series up. If not, Memphis will be one game away from clinching the series.

The inside game of PF Zach Randolph (20.7 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.7 APG in series) and C Marc Gasol (15.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.3 APG in series) get all of the talk, but PG Mike Conley (18.3 PPG, 8.7 APG, 5.7 RPG in series) has been the star of this team in the playoffs. In Game 3, Conley scored 20 points while dishing out three assists, and his three-pointer in overtime gave the Grizzlies a 90-88 lead, helping them pull away for the victory with another layup. He is not as athletic as Westbrook, but he plays under control and does not force things. Gasol had another solid game on Thursday with 14 points and eight rebounds, but did not touch the ball a lot in the final seven minutes of regulation when the Thunder made their comeback. The Grizzlies are at their best when the offense is running through Gasol, so look for Memphis to get back to that on Saturday.

The bench play of SF Tony Allen (12.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.3 SPG in series) and PG Beno Udrih (9.7 PG, 3.0 RPG in series) was the key in the Game 3 victory, as the duo combined for 30 points, while Allen also pulled down nine boards. Udrih hit difficult shots the entire game, while Allen was a force on both ends of the court. Getting offense from Allen is a bonus, as he has done a terrific job of guarding Durant through the first three games of this series. If the bench can continue to outplay the Thunder reserves, Memphis will be in great shape to get the victory.

[StarDust Bum]

Fact or Fiction

April 25, 2014


The postseason has begun, and most of the series are three games into their NBA betting action. It's the perfect time to look at another edition of Fact or Fiction, as we separate the contenders from the pretenders from a betting standpoint.

FACT

The Pacers are done: It's a common thought right now that Indiana has had it, and after that G3 performance, I’m starting to believe that’s exactly the case. Over the course of the last 20 games of the regular season, this was a very ordinary team in spite of the fact that it did do enough to win the top seed in the East, but these two losses in three games to the Hawks are bad news. Even if the Pacers do find a way to win this series in six or seven games, you still have to think that they stand no chance as the competition gets harder in the Eastern Conference.

Indiana's best option at center is David West: More on the Pacers… At the end of Game 3, Head Coach Frank Vogel decided to put C Roy Hibbert on the bench and go with a few different options at center. Perhaps the best way to deal with an undersized Atlanta team is to go with a small lineup, which includes putting West at center for long stretches of time. Hibbert shouldn't sniff the court with the way that he is playing, and if Vogel doesn't realize that, he will soon have his team out of the playoffs, and likely be out of a job.

The Mavericks are the scariest team in the West: There's something about the look of this Dallas team right now that has us intrigued. The Mavs darn well should be up 2-0 going back home against the Spurs, the team with the best record in the NBA in the regular season, and they have done so with F Dirk Nowitzki scoring a total of 27 points in two games. Dallas’ defense has been much better in the last four weeks, and if that trend continues, not only could San Antonio get knocked out here, but so too could several others out West.

FICTION

The Heat are the best bet in the East: To win the Eastern Conference, we aren't going to make the argument against Miami. Simply put, this team is going to the NBA Finals. However, we really question whether the Heat are a good bet to make on a nightly basis or not. They have failed to cover each of their first two games in this series against a gritty Charlotte team, and we wouldn't be shocked if the Bobcats do find a way to pull out a win somewhere along the way in this series as well. The oddsmakers are just loading too many points onto the backs of Miami's foes, and it is going to cost bettors in the second season.

The Rockets are finished: We refuse to believe that Houston is done yet. The Rockets haven't figured out how to defend against LaMarcus Aldridge, but the Blazers haven't figured out how to defend against Dwight Howard. The difference between winning and losing games in this series for Houston is a shot by James Harden. If you think that Harden is going to shoot 28 percent from the field in this series, you're crazy. Houston is far from done.

The Wizards have figured out how to run with the Bulls: We aren't all that sure that we buy this concept either. The Wizards have been a heck of a lot better than we thought they were going to be in this opening round series, but there are still two games to win out of five, and that isn't the easiest thing in the world to do against the grittiest team in the NBA. Chicago isn't finished until it has four losses in seven games on the stat sheet. We aren't writing this team off either. Head Coach Tom Thibodeau is too good of a coach to let this opening round series be a total bust.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pacers (56-26) at Hawks (38-44)

Date: April 26, 2014 2:00 PM EDT


ATLANTA (AP) - Fairly or not, Roy Hibbert has become the symbol of all that's wrong with the Indiana Pacers.

He hopes to turn that around Saturday, no matter what his role.

The 7-foot-2 center has struggled mightily in the first three games against the Atlanta Hawks, raising the possibility of coming off the bench in Game 4. The top-seeded Pacers are down 2-1 in the best-of-seven series and must steal a win at Philips Arena to avoid a mammoth upset.

Coach Frank Vogel was tightlipped about his lineup plans. The Pacers have been more effective against the eighth-seeded Hawks with a smaller unit on the court - and Hibbert on the bench.

'You'll find out tomorrow,' was all Vogel would say Friday, not long after a spirited film session at the team hotel.

Hibbert has scored only 18 points in the series on 7-of-25 shooting, and he looked downright lost in Atlanta's 98-85 win in Game 3. Several times, his shots were so far off the mark he didn't really seem to know where he was on the court. He also has struggled at the defensive end, lured out of his comfort zone near the basket by the outside shooting of center Pero Antic and forward Paul Millsap.

Atlanta's big men have put up a combined 26 shots from beyond the 3-point line, presenting all sorts of matchup problems for the lumbering Hibbert.

'It's a difficult lineup for me,' Hibbert said. 'I'm not used to it. It takes me out of position to protect the paint and to get rebounds in the paint and contest shots.'

The Pacers have actually been more effective without a true center on the court, thanks to Luis Scola. The 6-foot-9 forward has scored 37 points in the last two games, giving the Hawks fits with his mid-range shooting.

Hibbert said he's going on the assumption that he'll be starting in Game 4, but he wants what's best for the team.

'I'll do whatever Coach feels is necessary to win,' he said. 'As far as I know, I'm still playing. I don't know if it will be with the second unit.'

The Hawks hardly look like a team that finished six games below .500 during the regular season, playing with the swagger and confidence of a group that truly feels it can become only the sixth No. 8 seed to knock off the top seed in the opening round.

Atlanta lost its best player, center Al Horford, to a season-ending injury in December and went through a terrible two-month swoon as more guys went down. But now, except for Horford, the Hawks are as healthy as they've been all year - and it shows. They won seven of their last 10 to hold off New York for the final playoff spot in the East, and they've kept up their strong play against Indiana.

'We had a lot of injuries this year, so we're not you normal eight seed,' said DeMarre Carroll, who had 18 points in Game 3. 'If teams keep thinking we're your normal eight seed, we're going to keep proving that we're not your normal eight seed.'

He'll get no argument from Hibbert, who most amazingly of all doesn't even have a block in the series after swatting away 182 shots during the regular season.

'We're trying to make it hard for him. We're trying to run him,' Carroll said. 'I think us running him makes him tired a lot, and that affects him at the offensive end. We've just got to keep playing our game. Paul and Pero have got to keep stretching him out.'

While the Pacers will surely make some adjustments in the next game, especially when it comes to getting better movement away from the ball and not settling for so many jump shots, Vogel stressed that much of what needs to change doesn't show up on the stat sheet.

Quite simply, he wants to see more passion from the Pacers, who struggled over the final seven weeks of the regular season and seem to have wilted in the face of critics questioning whether they truly are one of the NBA's elite teams.

Hibbert isn't the only one who's struggling. George Hill made only 1-of-11 shots in Game 3. Paul George was held to 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting and questioned his team's toughness.

Asked a day later what he meant by that, George rattled off a long list of needed improvements. 'We're just not attacking. We're hesitant. We're not assertive. We're not screening. We're not setting guys up. We're not finishing.'

Vogel lit into his players during the extra-long film session, hoping to ignite a spark in a group that fashioned itself as a championship contender but is just two losses away from an early summer.

'We need to play with more passion, more energy, more heart and more guts,' Vogel said. 'That's what we've got to do.'

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Spurs (62-20) at Mavericks (49-33)

Date: April 26, 2014 4:30 PM EDT


DALLAS (AP) - Devin Harris was a young lottery pick the last time he helped the Dallas Mavericks have an answer for San Antonio's Tony Parker in the playoffs.

Eight years, three trades and one toe operation later, he's doing it again.

Harris is even the leading scorer for Dallas - yes, ahead of Dirk Nowitzki - with the first-round series tied heading into Game 3 on Saturday.

'It's why I wanted to come back, to be in this type of situation and play in these types of games and be in this type of series,' Harris said. 'It's perfect.'

Harris was in his second season in 2006 after the Mavericks traded up to get him with the fifth pick in the 2004 draft. His first career playoff start was Game 2 of the second round against the top-seeded Spurs, the first of three straight Dallas wins.

The speed of Harris gave the Mavericks something they lacked in trying to keep up with Parker, and they pulled the upset in seven games on their way to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Dallas lost to Miami in six games.

Fast forward to this week, and Harris led the eighth-seeded Mavericks with 19 points to put them in position to win the opener before the team went cold late and lost. He had 18 points in a Game 2 win, outscoring Parker by six.

'He's been great,' Nowitzki said. 'He's a big key for us off the bench. We don't have a lot of penetrators out there. He's been great on both ends of the floor.'

Harris went to New Jersey in a 2008 trade for Jason Kidd, who was the point guard for the franchise's first championship when Dallas won a rematch with the Heat in 2011. The Nets shipped him to Utah in another deadline deal the year Dallas won the title, this time for Deron Williams. The Jazz sent him to Atlanta during the offseason in 2012.

When he finally had a chance to pick his own team, Harris agreed with Dallas on a three-year, $9 million contract that was scuttled after the extent of his toe injury was discovered, along with the need for offseason surgery.

Harris settled for a one-year deal for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million, then had a setback in his recovery and missed the first 41 games.

'We had to express some patience and just continue to work,' the 31-year-old said. 'I knew at some point I'd be able to get back. I just didn't know when.'

The Mavericks have another speedy, penetrating guard in Monta Ellis, and Harris doesn't have to carry much of the defensive load trying to keep Parker out of the lane. Most of that duty has fallen to Shawn Marion so far.

But without Harris, the Mavericks would be counting on rookies Shane Larkin and Gal Mekel to relieve Ellis and starting point guard Jose Calderon.

'Right now it's winning time and you love experience,' Nowitzki said. 'As good sometimes (as) youth and freshness is and young legs, experience is a big key too.'

Parker was the spark behind fast starts in the first two games of this series, but he finished Game 2 with just 10 shots despite Marion basically giving him the jumper by going under the screen on pick-and-roll plays most of the game.

He's had fewer shots than that just four times in the playoffs in the past 10 years, and says coach Gregg Popovich noticed.

'I felt like I was doing good but at the same time I wanted to get my teammates involved,' Parker said. 'Pop told me if I have to shoot 25 times, I have to shoot 25 times if that's what they're going to give me.'

Even if they're not matched up, Harris and Parker will be measured up after each game. There's something about that series eight years ago - and what Parker said two years later when Harris was sent to the Eastern Conference.

'When I was here before he was happy to see me go,' Harris said after Game 1. 'I'm looking forward to just matching up with him again.'

The Mavericks will need him if they're going to pull another upset.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Heat (54-28) at Bobcats (43-39)

Date: April 26, 2014 7:00 PM EDT


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The Charlotte Bobcats have likely earned some respect around the NBA after hanging tough with the two-time defending champion Miami Heat.

But the Bobcats want more.

'I think we know that we can challenge these guys and win,' Bobcats point guard Kemba Walker said on Friday. 'We're still confident as a team.'

Still, it would be a tall task to beat the Heat in one game, let alone a best-of-seven series.

The Bobcats find themselves in a 2-0 hole as the series shifts to Charlotte for Game 3 on Saturday night.

That's pretty much where everyone expected them to be after two games in Miami. The inexperienced Bobcats entered the series with four starters that had never started a playoff game, compared to a Heat team that has enough championship rings to open a jewelry store.

But the past two games have been surprisingly competitive.

Charlotte led early in Game 1 before losing by 11. The Bobcats had a chance to send Game 2 into overtime Wednesday night but Dwyane Wade came up with a steal in the final seconds to seal Miami's 18th straight victory over Charlotte.

The Bobcats have played tough despite center Al Jefferson being hobbled by a strained plantar fascia in his left foot since the first quarter of Game 1.

Jefferson is expected to play Saturday night, but he isn't close to 100 percent.

'Miami is a great team,' Walker said. 'They are the defending champions, and we knew it wasn't going to be easy from the get go. ... We fought hard, but at the same time we feel like it shouldn't have come down to those late-game situations. There are so many mistakes we made over the course of the game that we probably could have been up.'

Charlotte hasn't hosted a playoff game in four years, and Miami star LeBron James is expecting a 'very challenging' game.

'Their team is very desperate because they know they can't go down 3-0,' James said. 'So we have to come in with the mindset that we want to win Game 3, not go up 3-0. We're not going there for a sweep. We're going there to win Game 3, and then we'll worry about what comes after that.'

Coach Erik Spoelstra knows the Heat can't make a mistake by taking the Bobcats lightly.

'As you're seeing across the league in the playoffs, anything can happen right now,' Spoelstra said. 'Momentum from one game doesn't guarantee you anything. We need a more complete, consistent game.'

Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said he isn't satisfied with moral victories.

He thinks his team can - and will - play better in Game 3.

'That is what we have to be thinking about - what it takes to win in the playoffs,' Clifford said.

Clifford said the Bobcats need to protect the ball better, play more disciplined defense, and minimize the foul discrepancy from the first two games. Miami has attempted 55 free throws to Charlotte's 31.

Strangely, Jefferson hasn't attempted a free throw in the series. Clifford said that is partly because he is limited in what he can do on offense due to the painful foot injury.

The Bobcats did a better job of driving the ball to the basket in Game 2, particularly second-year small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who finished with 22 points.

There is the potential for Saturday night's game to get a little Heated.

Charlotte forward Josh McRoberts delivered an elbow to the throat of James as he drove in for a layup in the final minute of Game 2. McRoberts walked away unremorseful as James sat on the floor holding his throat.

Officials didn't review the play, but on Thursday the NBA fined McRoberts $20,000 for 'making unnecessary and excessive contact.'

Spoelstra and some Heat players were outspoken Friday about the play, saying the flagrant foul should have been called on the floor.

'If it was the `80s, then I'd come up swinging,' James said. 'But it's not the 80s.'

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Thunder (59-23) at Grizzlies (50-32)

Date: April 26, 2014 9:30 PM EDT


MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Kevin Durant insists he and Russell Westbrook aren't turning their first-round series into a two-man show, even if the NBA scoring champ says they may be shooting too much.

Durant and his Oklahoma City teammates agree those shots will fall.

Saturday night in Game 4 would be a good time to start, or the Thunder could find themselves on the brink of playoff elimination in the opening round for the first time since 2010.

'I just didn't make shots,' Durant said Friday after practice. 'That's the name of the game. But I liked the way I cut, I liked the way I was aggressive. But I have to do a better job of maybe passing the ball a little bit more and also making shots. I've got to stay confident in myself.'

Durant and Westbrook each scored 30 points in Thursday night's 98-95 overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, combining to go 19 of 53 or a majority of the 87 shots the Thunder took. Worse, they were a chilling 4 of 21 beyond the arc with Durant missing all eight of his attempts.

Thunder center Kendrick Perkins said that won't happen again.

'KD is obviously the league MVP and we expect him to be the MVP down the stretch,' Perkins said.

Memphis has been making Durant and Westbrook work hard for shots by crowding the paint while holding the Thunder below 40 percent shooting in back-to-back games. Now the Grizzlies have the same 2-1 lead they had a year ago in the semifinals against Oklahoma City after consecutive overtime wins.

Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said they want to limit the easy shots and hope Durant and Westbrook miss some.

'They're going to get them up,' Joerger said.

Durant and Westbrook weren't alone. Oklahoma City went 5 of 28 for a chilling 17.9 percent. That was just the seventh time in the playoffs the Thunder have shot 20 percent or less from 3 since moving to Oklahoma City, and three came against the Grizzlies.

Thunder coach Scott Brooks said the Grizzlies have been forcing them to take some of the 3s by crowding three and four players around the paint. Oklahoma City can loosen up Memphis by hitting some of those

'The ones we're trying to eliminate and hopefully we do that next game, are the ones that are off the dribble with the no passes. Those are the tough ones. Those are the ones that we don't want. The ones we like, and we're going to have to be able to step up and make, are the ones when they're packing the paint.'

Still, the Thunder, who posted the NBA's second-best record, remain confident.

'It'd be different if we got blown out or we feel like we didn't have a chance to win,' Westbrook said. 'We're in a good place.'

So are the Grizzlies.

They now have won four of the last six playoff games against Oklahoma City, including four straight on their home court. The Thunder's lone win here in the postseason needed three overtimes in Game 4 of their 2011 semifinal.

Not even going to overtime after blowing fourth-quarter leads has bothered Memphis, which has been pushing for the playoffs since January once center Marc Gasol returned from a sprained left knee. The Grizzlies went 10-4 in games decided by three points or less as one of only four teams with double-digit wins in one-possession games.

Conley called Saturday night the next most important game of the season.

'We know they're not going to go away,' Conley said. 'They're going to fight and do whatever they can to win the series.'

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

-- Troy Daniels hit a huge 3 with 0:12 left in OT as Houston won at Portland and got to within 2-1 in that series, with road team winning all three games.

-- All three NBA games Friday night were decided by five or less points.

-- Blackhawks won 3-2 in OT at St Louis, fourth OT in five series games.

-- Bryce Harper, Chris Davis left with injuries last night.

-- Curtis Granderson is hitting .141, but he's had walk-off RBI in two of the Mets' 13 wins-- they're 13-10 and appear to be an improved team.

-- Jose Abreu and Albert Pujols are only players in last 100 years to have 27+ RBI before May 1st of their rookie season.

*****

Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here..........

13) Here is a case of a team being penalized for playing too well. Read on the Interweb this week that the NFL gave the Seahawks only one primetime home game this season because Seattle has been winning night games at home by too wide a margin, creating one-sided contests that deliver lousy TV ratings- make no mistake about it, the schedule is designed to deliver maximum TV ratings- that’s where the big bucks are.

12) Last February, Houston Astros traded Jed Lowrie to the A’s for Chris Carter, a one-sided deal for the A’s so far; no one has said anything, but apparently Lowrie and the Astros have some issues.

Last Friday, with A’s having scored seven runs in first inning, Lowrie bunted for a hit against a shift Houston put on, in his second AB of the first inning. This ticked off Astro manager Bo Porter bigtime- they threw at Lowrie later that game; Porter and Jose Altuve had words with Lowrie, and then two nights ago, Paul Clemens threw behind Lowrie again— whenever a big-league pitcher throws behind a hitter, there is intent.

11) The question becomes, when do you call off the dogs when playing a game with no clock? Lowrie bunted when it was 7-0, which is normally taboo, but it was still the first inning—that game wound up getting a close as 8-3 in the fifth.

If a team is going to shift to prevent you from getting hits, is it wrong to try and beat the shift? I would defer to those who play/played; Astro announcers spent the latter part of Thursday’s game debating those points and never got to a conclusion. Add in the fact that Lowrie and some Astros may not be best buddies and you have a potential problem, and it didn't cool down Friday night.

Houston hit Brandon Moss twice in the ninth inning, as Oakland again scored seven runs to take over a close game, then Fernando Abad drilled Jason Castro in the bottom of the ninth. There might be a fracas before this all goes away.

10) To me, Bobby Bowden said it best about running up scores, when his Seminoles were at the peak of their explosive power: “Its not my job to hold the score down, its their (other team’s) job.” Amen.

In a couple years, the Astros will be better, they’ll fire Porter and bring in a better manager and they won’t have to worry about getting scores run up on them.

9) San Diego manager Bud Black got creative late in his game at Washington Thursday night; his LF got hurt batting in the 11th inning; he could’ve double-switched, but he wanted to leave his pitcher in for one more hitter, so he used his ace starter Andrew Cashner in LF for one batter, then double-switched and brought in a lefty.

I call it creative; had Cashner gotten hurt, I’d be calling for his damn job, since Cashner is the best pitcher on my fantasy team. With so few bench players available to managers, stuff like this is happening more and more. Still think they should eliminate the DH and create 27-man major league rosters, but that’s just me.

8) World Cup soccer tournament takes a whole month? Media people covering it have to go to Brazil for that long? Long time to spend on a different continent.

7) Golfer Ben Martin was -13 on his first 21 holes at Zurich tournament in New Orleans; I couldn’t go -13 at mini-golf. Windmill holes give me too much trouble.

6) Michigan forward Mitch McGary flunked a drug test during the NCAAs, was going to be suspended for a year, so he just went pro, even though he didn’t play much last season. NCAA reduced the penalty for testing positive two weeks after McGary flunked his test, but they didn't grandfather him in to the lighter sentence, which was a mistake. The NCAA is good at making itself look bad.

5) Peter Gammons had a great stat Friday; nine teams have stranded 15+ runners in a game; eight of those nine teams won that game. I was surprised by that.

4) Has to be difficult for ballplayers who aren’t from this country; Michael Pineda doesn’t have a translator. Why doesn’t he? The Asian players all have translators. The team should provide translators for players; wouldn’t that help the player play better? Shouldn't teams make their players as comfortable as possible?

3) Domantos Sabonis will be playing for Gonzaga next year; his dad is Arvydas Sabonis, maybe the best basketball player no one saw until the very end of his career, when he played for Portland after injuring his Achilles. If this kid is anything like his dad as a player, Gonzaga has a player on its hands.

2) One of the better new college hoop names next year is a kid Michigan State recruited from the Bahamas: Lowrawls Naien. Not much doubt who the parents’ favorite singer is.

1) Back to Michael Pineda for a second; he got suspended for 10 days, but with pay; where is the penalty there? He got a 10-day paid vacation for being caught cheating. That penalizes the team more than the player; then again, maybe that’s their intent, to make teams police this kind of stuff.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Miami at Charlotte
The Heat (22-19 on the road) head to Charlotte up 2-0 in the series and face a Bobcats team that is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 home games against a team with a winning road record. Charlotte is the pick (+5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+5 1/2). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

Game 745-746: Indiana at Atlanta (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 124.064; Atlanta 117.662
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 6 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 2; 186 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-2); Over

Game 747-748: San Antonio at Dallas (4:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 126.557; Dallas 127.397
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1; 198
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 3 1/2; 202 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+3 1/2); Under

Game 749-750: Miami at Charlotte (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 121.518; Charlotte 120.720
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 1; 184
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 5 1/2; 188
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+5 1/2); Under

Game 751-752: Oklahoma City at Memphis (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 125.876; Memphis 119.982
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 6; 193
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 3; 188 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-3); Over




NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, April 26

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INDIANA (57 - 28) at ATLANTA (40 - 45) - 4/26/2014, 2:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 10-29 ATS (-21.9 Units) second half of the season this season.
INDIANA is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season this season.
INDIANA is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
INDIANA is 19-28 ATS (-11.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
INDIANA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
ATLANTA is 21-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) in home games in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
ATLANTA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 10-9 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 10-10 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
11 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

SAN ANTONIO (63 - 21) at DALLAS (50 - 34) - 4/26/2014, 4:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 46-38 ATS (+4.2 Units) in all games this season.
DALLAS is 45-29 ATS (+13.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 139-105 ATS (+23.5 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
DALLAS is 214-168 ATS (+29.2 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 148-114 ATS (+22.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 121-92 ATS (+19.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 25-16 ATS (+7.4 Units) in road games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 72-46 ATS (+21.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 140-106 ATS (+23.4 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 32-18 ATS (+12.2 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games off a upset loss as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 123-85 ATS (+29.5 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 47-74 ATS (-34.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
DALLAS is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 9-5 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 11-3 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

MIAMI (56 - 28) at CHARLOTTE (43 - 41) - 4/26/2014, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 48-33 ATS (+11.7 Units) in all games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 33-22 ATS (+8.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
CHARLOTTE is 24-15 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 22-13 ATS (+7.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
CHARLOTTE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) after a division game this season.
CHARLOTTE is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHARLOTTE is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
MIAMI is 47-33 ATS (+10.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 63-99 ATS (-45.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 9-4 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 13-0 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

OKLAHOMA CITY (60 - 25) at MEMPHIS (52 - 33) - 4/26/2014, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
MEMPHIS is 96-80 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 106-74 ATS (+24.6 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 57-37 ATS (+16.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 57-42 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 95-80 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 83-69 ATS (+7.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 119-80 ATS (+31.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 35-19 ATS (+14.1 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 13-6 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 10-9 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
11 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




NBA
Short Sheet

Saturday, April 26

Indiana at Atlanta, 2:00 ET
Indiana: 21-9 ATS off a road loss by 10 points or more
Atlanta: 4-12 ATS when leading in a playoff series

San Antonio at Dallas, 4:35 ET
San Antonio: 14-1 ATS off a home loss
Dallas: DALLAS is 4-12 ATS after 2 straight games with 19 or less assists

Miami at Charlotte, 7:05 ET
Miami: 11-20 ATS in road games in the first round of the playoffs
Charlotte: 8-1 ATS in home games after a loss by 6 points or less

Oklahoma City at Memphis, 9:35 ET
Oklahoma City: 1-5 ATS in road games after failing to cover 4 or 5 of last 6 ATS
Memphis: 21-12 ATS off an upset win as an underdog




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, April 26

Miami has won 17 games in row over Bobcat team that is 0-6 all-time in playoff games; Heat covered nine of last 12 series games- they made 20 of 46 from arc in first two games. Miami subs are killing Charlotte's; in two games, Miami's subs combined to be +128; Charlotte's bench was -99. Heat was -15 with Dwyane Wade on floor in first two games, +30 when he was off floor. Under is 25-15-1 in Charlotte home games.

Mavericks forced 22 turnovers (+15) in Game 2 to snap ten-game skid against San Antonio; they were up 10 at Alamo in Game 1, so they've got to have confidence coming home, even though they're just 4-5 in last nine home games. Duncan had only 11 points last game after dominating Game 1; Spurs lost three of last four road games but are 25-16 vs spread overall on foreign soil. Over is 24-17 in Dallas home games this year.

Pacers are now 7-11 in last 18 games, 7-26-1 against spread in last 34, as they often look like they'd be just as happy if season ended. Indiana is 3-4 vs Atlanta this season, 1-2 here- they've lost 14 of last 16 visits to Atlanta. Hawks won eight of last eleven games. Scola has 37 points in 39:00 off bench in last two games; George shot 3-11 from floor in Game 3- he is the Pacers' barometer. Hawks' bench was just 6-20 in Game 3.

Thunder lost five of last six visits to Memphis; their bench is 14-56 in series (25%!!!!), as Ibaka has been only scoring option after Westbrook, Durant. Griz covered three of last eight games as an underdog. Grizzlies won seven of last eight games; they lost Game 1 vs Thunder LY, then won series in 5- their bench made 29-53 shots in last two games, after going 9-28 in Game 1. Favorites are 9-13 SU, 5-17 vs spread; over is 16-6 in NBA playoffs so far this month.




NBA

Saturday, April 26

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

2:00 PM
INDIANA vs. ATLANTA
Indiana is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Indiana's last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Indiana

4:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing San Antonio

7:00 PM
MIAMI vs. CHARLOTTE
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games when playing Charlotte
Charlotte is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
Charlotte is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games

9:30 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. MEMPHIS
Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Oklahoma City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Memphis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

2014 Playoff Results

April 26, 2014


Betting Results

First Round
Wager Favorites-Underdogs Home-Away
Straight Up 9-13 10-12
Against the Spread 4-17-1 7-14-1
Total
Over-Under 16-6


Eastern Conference First Round

(1) Indiana vs. (8) Atlanta
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 Atlanta (+8, +350) at Indiana 101-93 Underdog Over (185.5)
2 Atlanta at Indiana (-7.5) 101-85 Favorite Under (187)
3 Indiana at Atlanta (+2.5, +120) 98-85 Underdog Under (187)
4 Indiana at Atlanta - - -
5 Atlanta at Indiana - - -
6 Indiana at Atlanta - - -
7 Atlanta at Indiana - - -


(2) Miami vs. (7) Charlotte
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 Charlotte at Miami (-10) 99-88 Favorite Over (186)
2 Charlotte at Miami (-10) 101-97 Underdog Over (187.5)
3 Miami at Charlotte - - -
4 Miami at Charlotte - - -
5 Charlotte at Miami - - -
6 Miami at Charlotte - - -
7 Charlotte at Miami - - -


(3) Toronto vs. (6) Brooklyn
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 Brooklyn (+3.5, +145) at Toronto 94-87 Underdog Under (192.5)
2 Brooklyn at Toronto (-5) 100-95 Push Over (191)
3 Toronto at Brooklyn (-5) 102-98 Underdog Over (191)
4 Toronto at Brooklyn - - -
5 Brooklyn at Toronto - - -
6 Toronto at Brooklyn - - -
7 Brooklyn at Toronto - - -


(4) Chicago vs. (5) Washington
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 Washington (+4.5, +170) at Chicago 102-93 Underdog Over (178.5)
2 Washington (+5, +200) at Chicago 101-99 (OT) Underdog Over (180.5)
3 Chicago (+2.5, +130) at Washington 100-97 Underdog Over (180.5)
4 Chicago at Washington - - -
5 Washington at Chicago - - -
6 Chicago at Washington - - -
7 Washington at Chicago - - -



Western Conference First Round

(1) San Antonio vs. (8) Dallas
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 Dallas at San Antonio (-9) 90-85 Underdog Under (203.5)
2 Dallas (+7.5, +300) at San Antonio 113-92 Underdog Over (201.5)
3 San Antonio at Dallas - - -
4 San Antonio at Dallas - - -
5 Dallas at San Antonio - - -
6 San Antonio at Dallas - - -
7 Dallas at San Antonio - - -


(2) Oklahoma City vs. (7) Memphis
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 Memphis at Oklahoma City (-8) 100-86 Favorite Under (190.5)
2 Memphis (+7, +290) at Oklahoma City 111-105 (OT) Underdog Over (190.5)
3 Oklahoma City at Memphis (+2.5, +125) 98-95 (OT) Underdog Over (190(
4 Oklahoma City at Memphis - - -
5 Memphis at Oklahoma City - - -
6 Oklahoma City at Memphis - - -
7 Memphis at Oklahoma City - - -


(3) L.A. Clippers vs. (6) Golden State
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 Golden State (+7.5, +310) at Los Angeles 109-105 Underdog Over (211)
2 Golden State at Los Angeles (-8) 138-98 Favorite Over (212.5)
3 Los Angeles (-3) at Golden State 98-96 Underdog Under (212)
4 Los Angeles at Golden State - - -
5 Golden State at Los Angeles - - -
6 Los Angeles at Golden State - - -
7 Golden State at Los Angeles - - -


(4) Houston vs. (5) Portland
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 Portland (+5.5, +190) at Houston 122-120 (OT) Underdog Over (215.5)
2 Portland (+6.5, +270) at Houston 112-105 Underdog Over (215)
3 Houston (+2.5, +110) at Portland 121-116 (OT) Underdog Over (214.5)
4 Houston at Portland - - -
5 Portland at Houston - - -
6 Houston at Portland - - -
7 Portland at Houston - - -

[StarDust Bum]

Record in the playoffs as of FRIDAY Night :

11 - 7 ..............................*****

7 - 5 ..............................DOUBLE PLAY

5 - 8...............................TRIPLE PLAY


Saturday, April 26

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Indiana - 2:00 PM ET Indiana -2.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Atlanta - Over 187.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

San Antonio - 4:30 PM ET Dallas +3.5 500 *****
Dallas - Under 201 500 *****

Miami - 7:00 PM ET Charlotte +4.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Charlotte - Under 187.5 500 *****

Oklahoma City - 9:30 PM ET Oklahoma City -3 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Memphis - Over 189 500 *****

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

-- Thunder 92, Grizzlies 89 ot-- Third straight overtime game in series.

-- Mavericks 109, Spurs 108-- Vince Carter hit 3-ball from left corner for win.

-- Pacers 91, Hawks 88-- Lakers once won NBA title going 16-12 in playoffs.

-- UCLA's Jordan Adams changed his mind, will enter NBA Draft; all these kids leaving early can't possibly be drafted where they've been told they'll be drafted.

-- If the NBA suspends Donald Sterling, they're doing him a favor. Franchise is much better off is he isn't around it-- he will still reap the profits.

-- Saturday's baseball injuries: Hanley Ramirez, Juan Segura, Ryan Braun, Anibal Sanchez. Segura got hit in the face with a bat, needs plastic surgery.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, April 27

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CHICAGO (49 - 36) at WASHINGTON (46 - 39) - 4/27/2014, 1:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 8-5 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 7-6 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LA CLIPPERS (59 - 26) at GOLDEN STATE (52 - 33) - 4/27/2014, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 157-216 ATS (-80.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 112-149 ATS (-51.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 95-81 ATS (+5.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 68-50 ATS (+13.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 55-39 ATS (+12.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 53-39 ATS (+10.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 34-21 ATS (+10.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 47-37 ATS (+6.3 Units) in all games this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 25-16 ATS (+7.4 Units) in road games this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 21-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 31-22 ATS (+6.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 9-6 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 8-7 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
10 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TORONTO (49 - 36) at BROOKLYN (46 - 39) - 4/27/2014, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 7-6 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
BROOKLYN is 9-6 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

HOUSTON (55 - 30) at PORTLAND (56 - 29) - 4/27/2014, 9:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 8-5 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 9-5 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
12 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, April 27

Chicago is weird NBA team; different guy takes most shots every game; Dunleavy scored 35 in Game 3, making 8-10 from arc. Washington won six of last seven games overall, with last five going over total. Chicago lost three of last five visits here, losing by 13-4-3 points. Bulls lost four of last six games, with five of last six going over total. Favorites are 7-19 vs spread; over is 17-9 in NBA playoffs so far this month.

Golden State was just 6-31 from arc in Game 3, lost by only hoop; they ain't going 6-31 again. Home side won eight of last ten series games; Clippers lost five of last six games in Oakland- nine of last 11 series games went over total. LA won nine of its last 13 games, with ten of those 13 going over the total. Warriors won six of last ten games overall; under is 48-35 in their games this year, 23-17 at home.

All three Toronto-Brooklyn games were decided by 7 or less points. DeRozan scored 30 points in each of last two games, but is just 20-56 from floor in series. Toronto is -25 in turnovers (54-29) in series. Nets are 18-68 from arc in series. Toronto lost five of its last six visits here overall, two of three this season. Nets lost five of last eight games, but are 24-18 vs spread at home this season. Over is 8-5 in east, 9-4 in west.

Aldridge scored 23 in Game 3, after he had 89 points, 26 boards in pair of road wins to open series; Portland won 11 of last 13 games; they've won four of last five home games, all decided by 6 or less points, but Houston won six of their last eight viits here. Blazers had lost five of last six games with Rockets before this series- last ten games in series went over total. Harden is 27-82 from floor this series, not good for Rockets.




NBA

Sunday, April 27

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Trend Report
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1:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. WASHINGTON
Chicago is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Chicago is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Washington is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago

3:30 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. GOLDEN STATE
The total has gone OVER in 9 of the LA Clippers last 12 games when playing Golden State
LA Clippers are 19-6 SU in their last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
Golden State is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home

7:00 PM
TORONTO vs. BROOKLYN
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Toronto's last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Brooklyn's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 5 games when playing Toronto

9:30 PM
HOUSTON vs. PORTLAND
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Houston's last 12 games
Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Portland's last 10 games at home
Portland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home


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NBA

Sunday, April 27

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Game of the Day: Rockets at Trail Blazers
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Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers (-2, 214.5)

Somebody named Troy Daniels kept Houston alive and the Rockets now attempt to even the best-of-seven Western Conference series when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Daniels, a recent D-League call-up, knocked down the tiebreaking 3-pointer in overtime as the Rockets avoided falling behind 3-0 in the series with a dramatic 121-116 victory. James Harden set a personal playoff high with 37 points while Houston limited Portland star LaMarcus Aldridge to 23 points after he combined for 89 in the first two games.

The Rockets can regain homecourt advantage with a Game 4 victory and coach Kevin McHale isn’t ready to proclaim his team is back in the series until it wins another one. “We haven’t done anything yet,” McHale said after Friday’s victory. “We’ve won one game. But it feels a lot better than losing.” Portland knows what’s at stake and would prefer to go back to Houston with a chance to clinch the series. “It’s the playoffs and nobody said we were going to come out and sweep them,” point guard Damian Lillard told reporters. “We’re lucky that we were able to win two games in Houston and be in the position we’re in right now.”

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, CSN Houston, KGW (Portland)

LINE HISTORY: The Blazers opened as 2-point home faves. The total opened 216, but has been bet down to 215.5.

INJURY REPORT: N/A

WHY BET THE ROCKETS: Daniels played just 75 minutes in the regular season – 44 of them in the meaningless finale – and didn’t play in the first two games of the playoff series. But he logged 20 minutes in Game 3 and was in at the finish because forward Chandler Parsons had fouled out. His third 3-pointer of the contest was the decisive one with 11 seconds left, changing the status of the undrafted free agent from Virginia Commonwealth from unknown commodity to playoff hero. “As a rookie, you never know when you’re going to play,” Daniels told reporters. “When (McHale) called my name, I was ready to play. That just shows how much confidence he has in me.”

WHY BET THE BLAZERS: Aldridge was just 8-of-22 shooting in Game 3 as the Rockets started a second big man in Omer Asik and repeatedly hounded Aldridge with either Asik or Dwight Howard. Aldridge only had four first-half points before finding some opportunities to get loose in the second half but wasn’t the dominating force he was in the first two games. “The rotated big to big,” Aldridge said afterward, “so they made it a point to take me out and not let me get up a lot of shots and not find a good rhythm.”

TRENDS:

* Over is 13-3 in the last 16 meetings.
* Underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
* Rockets are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games.
* Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games.

CONSENSUS: 63 percent of wagers are on the Blazers at -2 while 59 percent of wagers are on the Over 214.5

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

LA Clippers at Golden State
The Clippers look to go up 3-1 in the series and come into today's contest with a 21-8 ATS record in their last 29 Sunday games. LA is the pick (-2) according to Dunkel, which has the Clippers favored by 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (-2). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

Game 753-754: Chicago at Washington (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 119.621; Washington 119.446
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 187 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 2 1/2; 182 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+2 1/2); Over

Game 755-756: LA Clippers at Golden State (3:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 127.780; Golden State 122.431
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 5 1/2; 205
Vegas Line & Total: LA Clippers by 2; 210
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (-2); Under

Game 757-758: Toronto at Brooklyn (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 119.367; Brooklyn 125.535
Dunkel Line & Total: Brooklyn by 6; 188
Vegas Line & Total: Brooklyn by 4; 192
Dunkel Pick: Brooklyn (-4); Under

Game 759-760: Houston at Portland (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 122.705; Portland 123.411
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 1; 218 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 2 1/2; 214 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+2 1/2); Over