Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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08-24-20 | Lakers v. Blazers +7.5 | Top | 135-115 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 55 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Por Blazers at 9:00 ET. The Blazers went 6-2 in the Orlando 'bubble' and then secured the No. 8 seed in the West by beating the Grizzlies 126-122 in the Play-In game. Portland has been led by Bubble MVP Damian Lillard. Talk was, the Lakers could be had, after some lackluster play in their eight games in Orlando, pre-playoffs. The Lakers clinched the West's No. 1 seed back on Aug 3 and then went just 1-4 (0-5 ATS) the rest of the way, needing a Kyle Kuzma shot at the buzzer to capture their lone win. Lillard had 34 points in Game 1 vs the Lakers, leading a balanced attack that saw McCollum score 21 points while center Jusuf Nurkic (17.9 & 11.8 in Orlando) added 16 & 15. Nurkic's backup, Hassan Whiteside, chipped in 7 & 8, with his plus/minus of plus-13 ranking 2nd to only Lillard's plus-19 for the game. Defensively, Portland held the Lakers to 35.1 percent shooting from the floor, including 15.6 percent from three-point range (5 of 32!). A.D. had 28 & 11 and LBJ added his 24th career playoff triple-double (23-17-16) but LA's dynamic duo combined to shoot 1 of 10 on threes. LA's starters shot a combined 3 of 23 on threes. Kuzma, LA's only other consistent scorer during the regular season, added 14. LA's center combo of McGee and Howard (10 points / 13 rebounds) was outplayed by Nuric alone, not even adding in Whiteside's contributions. All of a sudden, the Lakers DID look very vulnerable, while Lillard and the Blazers were becoming 'the story' of Orlando. However, things can turn on a dime in the world of sports. I made a HUGE play on the Lakers in Game 2 and they responded with an 111-88 win. LBJ had a modest line of 10-6-7 but A.D. had 31 & 11 plus the Lakers shot 47.8% as a team. Nurkic contributed just 9 & 8, while Lillard and McCollum combined for only 31 points and shot 2 of 12 on threes. The big story entering Game 3 was Lillard's health, as he had dislocated the index finger on his left hand in the third quarter. Lillard had 34 points in Game 3, while McCollum added 28 but Nurkic was again a non-factor (10 & 7). Meanwhile, LBJ bounced back with a line of 38-12-8 and A.D. wasn't far behind (29-11-8). Overall, LA shot 50.0% as a team in the 116-108 win. So here we are in Game 4, where the Blazers can square it at two-all, or LA can open up a commanding 3-1 lead. I'm not sure that Portland can even the series but taking the points looks very 'juicy.' Lillard can still "make the plays" with his injured left hand but the Blazers will NEED Nurkic to play MUCH better plus the bench CAN'T contribute just EIGHT points again, like it did in Game 3. When LBJ and A.D. play like they did in Game 3, the Lakers "two-man" team looks good enough to win a championship but I still see the Lakers as having way too many 'holes.' After all, even with 'monster' games from their two superstars AND a 28-18 edge in made FTs, the Lakers only won Game 3 by EIGHT points. I expect this contest to come "right down to the wire," taking more than a 'TD' seems HUGE! Good luck...Larry |
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08-24-20 | Pacers +6.5 v. Heat | Top | 87-99 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 28 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Ind Pacers at 6:30 ET. Miami recorded its THIRD straight win over Indiana with a 114-92 rout on Aug 10 in Orlando but the Pacers finally bested the Heat with a 109-92 on Aug 15. That broke a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. However, all games are being played in Orlando, there IS no home court edge to go along with that No. 4 seed. The Heat controlled most of the play in each of the first two games of this series, winning 113-101 and 109-100. Miami then did so again in Saturday's 124-115 Game 3 on Saturday, a contest that was heavily impacted by free-throw shooting. The Heat went to the line 52 times and made 43, whereas the Pacers attempted just 28 foul shots and made 21. Miami has successfully held T.J. Warren to 19.7 PPG, after he averaged 31.0 PPG in the eight games prior to the start of the playoffs. The Pacers remain without their best player, Sabonis (out for the year), who averaged 18.5-12.4-5.0 before getting hurt. However, Malcom Brogdon has shined, averaging a team-best 24.3 PPG in the series, while also leads all clubs in assists with 33 through three games. Oladipo has also looked "more like himself" the last two games, scoring 22 and 20 points, respectively. Miami's basically gone to a seven-man rotation and the Heat have ridden balanced scoring to take a 3-0 lead. FIVE players are all averaging 15-plus points. The group includes starters Butler (24.3-6.0-4.7), Dragic (22.7-5.7 APG), Adebayo (15.3-8.7-5.0) and Duncan Robinson (15.0), plus Kentucky rookie Herro (16.7), who comes off the bench. NO way the Pacers come back to win this series but four-game sweeps are rare when featuring comparable opponents. The third-seeded Celtics completed a sweep over the sixth-seeded 76ers on Sunday but failed to cover. This is a 4 vs 5 matchup (remember, Indiana is the 4-seed) and I see the Pacers bringing their "A-game" to this win or go home contest. Upset alert? I wouldn't call an Indiana win here an upset. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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08-23-20 | Nuggets +3.5 v. Jazz | Top | 127-129 | Win | 100 | 13 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* "signature" LEGEND Play is on the Den Nuggets at 9:00 ET. Utah missed a great opportunity to 'steal' Game 1 against the Nuggets (lost in OT), when even Donovan Mitchell's 57 points weren't enough. However, everything has clicked for the Utah Jazz on offense and defense these last two games. The Jazz have overwhelmed the Nuggets on both ends of the court in back-to-back games, averaging 18 made three-pointers per game, while shooting 45 percent or better from behind the arc in both Game 2 and Game 3 wins. The Nuggets are a mess on defense (have allowed 124.3 PPG in the series) plus have struggled to find a consistent rhythm on offense the last two contests. After scoring 135 points in Game 1's OT victory, Denver has been held to 96.0 PPG in the two losses (Nuggets averaged 111.3 PPG during the regular season). Denver continues to miss two starters, SF Barton (15.1-6.3-3.7) and SG Harris (10.4), who happens to be the team's best perimeter defender. Are those losses too much to overcome? I am NOT ready to concede that. Jokic was his usual self in the first two games (28.5-10.4-4.5) but he had just 15 points in Game 3. Jokic had a breakout postseason last year and I expect a HUGE game from him here. PG Murray and the ever-improving Michael Porter Jr. should also be MUCH better in Game 4. Mitchell had those 57 points in the Game 1 loss but in Utah's two wins, scored 30 and 20 points. Center Rudy Gobert (20.0 & 9.3) has at least played Jokic to a draw so far and PG Mike Conley had a HUGE game on Friday. Conley led Utah with 27 points in its Game 3 romp (returned from a two-game absence), shooting a career-best 7-of-8 from three-point range. However, Conley has been erratic all season, shooting only 40.9% during the regular season, including 37.5% on threes. It's my bet that Utah will NOT replicate its performance from the last two games, when the team shot 51,7% (20-of-44 on threes) and 51.2% (18-of-37 on threes), respectively. Denver gained valuable playoff experience by playing in two, seven-game series in the 2019 postseason (beat the Spurs / lost to the Blazers) and I expect them to lean on that here. Expect Jokic and Murray to be "at their best" as the Nuggets tie this series at two-all. Take ANY points available. Good luck...Larry |
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08-23-20 | Celtics v. 76ers +8 | Top | 110-106 | Win | 100 | 4 h 7 m | Show |
My 9* Division Game of the Month (Atlantic) is on the Phi 76ers at 1:00 ET. The third-seeded Boston Celtics hope to complete a playoff-series sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers (No. 6 seed) Game 4 of their best-of-seven series on Sunday afternoon. he Boston scored Game 3's final 10 points on Friday, walking away with a 102-94 win. Here's how the game turned down the stretch. Embiid gave the 76ers their last lead of Game 3 at 94-92 on two free throws with 2:14 remaining but with the 76ers having a chance to add to their lead, he attempted a cross-court pass out of a double-team. The ball was intercepted by Marcus Smart and turned into a three-point play by Jaylen Brown for a 95-94 advantage for the Celtic. Philly had a chance to retake the lead on their next possession but Embiid's off-balance jumper was blocked by Jayson Tatum, who was then fouled in the open court, resulting in a clear-path infraction and two free throws. He made one and when Kemba Walker buried a 20-footer with 1:05 left on the Celtics' ensuing possession, Boston was up four and headed to a commanding series lead. And so it goes. Boston's Hayward was lost for the series in Game 1 but Boston has produced a trio of 20-point scorers in this series, Tatum (26.7 & 8.0), Brown (23.3 & 6.0) and Walker (21.7-4.3-3.7). Smart has replaced Hayward in the starting lineup the last two games and has averaged 12.0-6.0-2.5. Philly began the series with Simmons and Embiid has been the 'big dog,' averaging 30.0 & 13.0. Regular starters Richardson (17.7 & 4.0) and Harris (14.3 & 11.0) have played well enough, as has Milton (14.7), who has replaced Simmons. Phily was counting on Horford to step up his game come playoff time but that hasn';t been the case. He's averaging 30.7 MPG (has started two of the three) but is averaging just 5.3 & 6.3 (averaged 11.9 & 6.8 in the regular season. Many feel as if the 76ers are 'toast' and that head coach Brett Brown "is as good as gone." However, the 76ers have had real chances to win in BOTH Games 1 and 2. Philly had a chance to win Game 1, leading 79-75 into the 4th quarter and trailed by just THREE with under a minute to go in the game. I've also detailed the team's late-game collapse in Game 3, above..Embiid was dominant in the first half during Game 3, racking up 22 points and 10 rebounds while going 6-for-11 from the floor. However, he would shoot just 1-for-9 from the floo in the second half, finishing with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Here's the rub. Embiid's been the MVP of the series in the first halves, averaging 19.0 points on 59.4-percent shooting while adding 8.7 rebounds. However, he's been held to 29.2-percent shooting in the second halves, scoring 11.0 and grabbing a modest 4.3 rebounds.Boston/Philly is the league's oldest rivalry (the franchises are meeting for the 21st time in the postseason) and the simple fact is that the Celtics last swept the 76ers in a playoff series was back in the 1957Eastern Finals, when the franchise played as played as the Syracuse Nationals. I 'm NOT predicting that the 76ers can come back and win the series but I will NOT count them out of salvaging a pride-saving win in Game 4. I want ALL those points! Good luck...Larry |
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08-22-20 | Rockets v. Thunder +3.5 | Top | 107-119 | Win | 100 | 12 h 7 m | Show |
My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on the OKC Thunder at 6:00 ET. The OKC Thunder had to like their chances against the Houston Rockets heading into this first round series, as former Thunder star Russell Westbrook (27.2-7.9-7.0) was expected to be sidelined for the entire series with a quad injury. So far, NOT so good for OKC, as Houston has won handily in each of the first two games, 123-108 and 111-98. Naturally, Harden (29.0-8.0-6.0) has led the way but FIVE other Houston players have averaged double digits in the first two contests. The most surprising of those five is 12-year vet Jeff Green, who the Rockets acquired in late February from Utah. Green's averaging 18.5 PPG and only Harden is averaging more rebounds than Green's 6.5 per. The Rockets have never been known for their defense but the Rockets have held the Thunder to 44.2 percent shooting by rotating with determination. Chris Paul NEEDS to step up for OKC. He just missed a triple-double in Game 1 (20-10-9) in Game 1 but he recorded an 'ugly' minus-36 rating in Thursday's defeat (14-6-2), the WORST of anyone on the court! What can the Thunder do to turn things around? How about utilize 6-11 center Steven Adams more. He's averaged 12.5 & 11.2 and his size leaves the small-ball Rockets with few options to stop him. The 6-10 Danilo Gallinari has led the way for OKC averaging 23.0 PPG and Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 20.0 & 5.0. It's great to have reserve guard Dennis Schroder back (he missed all of OKC's first eight games in Orlando), as while he's averaged just 9.5 PPG and 4.5 APG in this series, he averaged 18.9 & 4.0 in the regular season. Here's a couple of things to note about OKC. The Thunder were the NBA's best pointspread team during the regular season, going 44-28 (compared to Houston's 33-39 mark). What's more, the Thunder have some positive playoff history on their side in situations like this. OKC has won Game 3 in each of the FIVE previous instances in which it fell into an 0-2 series hole. Can you say SIX in a row? Good luck...Larry |
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08-22-20 | Pacers +5.5 v. Heat | Top | 115-124 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 28 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Ind Pacers at 3:30 ET. Miami recorded its THIRD straight win over Indiana with a 114-92 rout on Aug 10 in Orlando but the Pacers finally bested the Heat with a 109-92 on Aug 15. That broke a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. However, with all games being played in Orlando, there IS no home court edge to go along with that No. 4 seed. The Heat have controlled the play in each of the first two games of this series, winning 113-101 and 109-100. The teams will trade benches and wear different colors for Game 3 but the Pacers will need more than that to get back in this series. The Heat have shut down T.J. Warren in the first two games, after he had averaged 31.0 points PPG on 57.8 percent shooting, including 52.4 percent with three-pointer, However, Warren's been held to 18.0 PPG (48.5 percent overall / 40.0 percent on threes), as Miami's gone up 2-0 in this series. It's not just Warren, as the Pacers have been held to just 100.5 PPG, the second-lowest total through two games of all 16 teams! Miami's gone with basically a seven-man rotation, led by the do-everything Butler (23.0-5.0-5.0) and veteran PG Dragic (22.0-4.5-5.5). SG Robinson (15.0), rookie guard Herro (15.0-4.0-3.5) and PF Adebayo (12.0-7.5-5.0) join Butler and Dragic in double digits (note: Herro is coming off the bench). The Pacers are without arguably their best player, Sabonis (out for the year), who had averaged 18.5-12.4-5.0. However, guards Brogdon (19.5 & 9.5 APG in the two games) and Oladipo (13.0 PPG but just 31.3% shooting) are MORE than capable. The 6-11 Myles Turner (13.0 & 8.5) has held his own up front, even without Sabonis. Here's the rub. Brogdon and Oladipo combined for 39 points in Game 2 (that's the good news) but shot a combined 9 of 29 from the floor (obviously, the bad news). Do I think Miami is the better team, yes! However, NOT by much and I'm taking the points with the team that's down 0-2. This series in NO way resembles the Toronto/Brooklyn mismatch or the Boston/Philly series, where the 76ers look as if they've "packed it in" for the season. No surprise at all to see Indiana win. Good luck...Larry |
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08-21-20 | Clippers -4.5 v. Mavs | Top | 130-122 | Win | 100 | 16 h 1 m | Show |
My NBA 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the LA Clippers at 9:00 ET. Luka Doncic scored 42 points while adding seven rebounds and nine assists in his first-ever playoff game this past Monday. However, it wasn't enough to keep the Mavs from losing 118-110 to the Clippers for the fourth straight time in the 2019-20 season. However, the Mavericks finally found success against the Clippers on Wednesday, despite Doncic being limited to 28 minutes due to foul trouble. That said, Doncic still managed 28-8-7. Fellow starters Porzingis (23 & 7) and Hardaway (17) both played well but the key was three Dallas players off the bench. Trey Burke (16), Seth Curry (15) and Boban Marjanovic (13) combined for 44 points on 19-of-28 shooting (68%). As for the Clippers, Kawhi scored 35 points and added 10 rebounds but fellow superstar Paul George had just 14 points on 4 of 17 shooting (2 of 10 on threes). LA was just horrific from beyond-the-arc, making just 10-34 (29.4%). Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said the following of the Mavericks performance in Game 2. "They had such a great rhythm against us. Every single guy on their team had confidence with the basketball. They were the more physical team. They played harder. They attacked us. We didn't respond well." Looking ahead to Game 3, Rivers expects his club to play tougher defense and move the ball better in Game 3. He was disappointed that his starting-five combined for seven assists on Wednesday. "That's not how we've played all year," Rivers said. "If we play like that, we can't win." OK, here's the rub. Why should we NOT expect this Kawhi and George led team to respond and bounce back. No way the Dallas trio of Burke, Curry and Marjanovic combine for 44 points again plus note that while Porzingis had 23 & 7 in Game 2, he's playing through right knee soreness. The Clippers are viewed by many as a possible NBA Finals participant (that group includes me) and I expect a championship-like performance from Kawhi and George. Lay the points as the Clippers win "with room to spare." Good luck...Larry |
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08-21-20 | Nuggets -1.5 v. Jazz | 87-124 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 2 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Den Nuggets at 4:00 ET. Utah missed a great opportunity to 'steal' Game 1 against the Nuggets (lost in OT) but then left no doubt about the outcome in Game 2, in a 124-105 wire-to-wire over the Nuggets. Mitchell's 57 points in Game 1 were not enough for Utah to win but his 30 points in Game 2 were more than enough to lead the way, as Utah shot 51.7% as a team, including connecting on 20 of 44 three-pointers! Denver Nikola Jokic center was his usual self (28 & 11) and Michael Porter continued his excellent play in Orlando with 28 points (made 6 of 9 three-pointers), but PG Jamal Murray went from scoring 36 points in Game 1, to 14 in Game 2. Denver continues to miss two starters, SF Barton (15.1-6.3-3.7) and SG Harris (10.4), who happens to be the team's best perimeter defender. The Jazz are expected to get starting point PG Mike Conley back in the lineup after he missed two games for the birth of his son but I'm not sure that's all good news. Conley (14.4 & 4.4 APG) has generally been a disappointment in his first season with Utah. The Jazz did almost everything right in Game 2. Utah shot 19 of 33 from three-point range and 36 of 62 from the floor overall during the first three quarters, entering the final period with a commanding 104-77 lead. The Jazz finished with 32 assists on 45 total baskets and made only SIX turnovers. However, that kind of effort/performance will be hard to duplicate in Game 3. Jokic NEVER seems to play a poor game plus I expect Murray to bounce back. Then there is the continued emergence of Michael Porter Jr. He scored in double digits in all seven of the games he played in Orlando prior to the playoffs, averaging 22.0 PPG. He had just a modest 13 points and eight rebounds in Game 1 but then had that 28-point effort in Game 2, showcasing the mismatches he creates for an opponents' defense. Denver gained valuable playoff experience by playing in two, seven-game series in the 2019 postseason (beat the Spurs / lost to the Blazers). Meanwhile, Utah has been in the playoffs in 11 of the last 19 seasons but has advanced past the second round just ONCE, with SIX first round exits. Not ready to concede this series to Denver but I will be playing them on Friday, in a near-pick'em setting. Good luck...Larry |
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08-20-20 | Blazers v. Lakers -6.5 | Top | 88-111 | Win | 100 | 15 h 14 m | Show |
My 10* 1st Round Game of the Year (West Conf) is on the LA Lakers at 9:00 ET. The Blazers went 6-2 in the Orlando 'bubble' and then secured the No. 8 seed in the West by beating the Grizzlies 126122 in the Play-In game. Portland has been led by Bubble MVP Damian Lillard, who has averaged in the 10 games the Blazers have played in Orlando. He had 34 points in Game 1 vs the Lakers, leading a balanced attack that saw McCollum scoring 21 points while center Jusuf Nurkic (17.9 & 11.8 in Orlando) added 16 & 15. Nurkic's backup, Hassan Whiteside, chipped in 7 & 8, with his plus/minus of plus-13 ranking 2nd to only Lillard's plus-19 for the game. Defensively, Portland held the Lakers to 35.1 percent shooting from the floor, including and 15.6 percent from three-point range (5 of 32!). A.D. had 28 & 11 and LBJ added his 24th career playoff triple-double (23-17-16) but LA's dynamic duo combined to shoot 1 of 10 on threes. LA's starters shot a combined 3 of 23 on threes. Kuzma, LA's only other consistent scorer during the regular season, added 14. LA's center combo of McGee and Howard (10 points / 13 rebounds) was outplayed by Nuric alone, not even adding in Whiteside's contributions. The Lakers' time in the NBA bubble has been nowhere near as intense as the Blazers'. The Lakers clinched the West's No. 1 seed back on Aug 3 and since that time, the Lakers are just 1-4 (0-5 ATS) and needed a Kyle Kuzma shot at the buzzer to capture their lone win. Portland was a 'sexy' pick to upset the Lakers and after Game 1, the Blazers have LA's full attention. Portland has won SEVEN of its last eight games but during the Blazers' stay in Orlando, they never had to face the same team twice, much less face the same team in consecutive games. That changes here in Game 2. "It's one game," Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said. "I was pleased with our competitive spirit. We didn't make shots. ... I think we can shoot the ball better than we saw tonight." The Lakers CAN'T shoot any worse than in Game 1, right? I've never been completely 'sold' on this LA team but I'm "all over" them here in this bounce-back situation. Good luck...Larry |
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08-20-20 | Magic v. Bucks -12.5 | 96-111 | Win | 100 | 10 h 49 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Mil Bucks at 6:00 ET. Orlando served up some 'Magic' on Tuesday, as the team shocked the Milwaukee Bucks 122-110 as 14-point underdogs. Center Nikola Vucevic scored a career playoff-high with 35 points plus added 14 rebounds. Guards Augustin and Ross combined for 29 points off the bench, as the Magic shot 49.4% as a team. Likely league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists but also had five turnovers (note: the Magic turned Milwaukee's 16 turnovers into 25 points) and was held without a FG in the game's final 11 minutes. Milwaukee shot poorly overall (43.3%), including 14-of-42 on threes (14-of-42). The Bucks found themselves in the shadow of the opponent's home base even though they finished the regular season 23 games ahead of the eighth-place Magic but that's hardly an excuse. Milwaukee ranked third in the NBA during the regular season in field goal percentage at 47.6 and MUST shoot better in this one. Khris Middleton (20.9-6.2-4.3 in the regular season), usually Antetokounmpo's able sidekick, was held to 14 points on 4-for-12 shooting. Then there was center Brook Lopez, who after averaging 20.4 PPG in the bubble (on 48% shooting), made just TWO of nine shots (five points)! Here's the rub. Already mentioned above is the fact that while Milwaukee went 56-17 on the season, Orlando was just 33-40. There is a HUGE gap in talent between these two teams, hence the double-digit pointspread. Milwaukee's been the NBA's best team in each of the last two seasons (went 60-22 last year) and losing streaks have been RARE! How rare? Beginning at the start of the 2018-19 season, the Bucks had gone a remarkable 29-1 SU and 23-7 ATS after a loss, BEFORE losing three straight right before the shutdown. Milwaukee seemed disinterested in the bubble, going 3-5. However, its Game 1 loss surely got the Bucks' attention. The Magic are in the WRONG place at the WRONG time. Lay the points. Good luck...Larry |
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08-19-20 | 76ers +5 v. Celtics | Top | 101-128 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 56 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Phi 76ers at 6:30 ET. The third-seeded Celtics prevailed 109-101 in the series opener against the sixth-seeded 76ers, led by Jayson Tatum (32 & 13) and Jaylen Brown (29). However, it was no 'walk in the park.' In fact, it was much to the contrary. Philly's Joel Embiid made a 22-footer on the first possession of the fourth quarter, as the 76ers took an 81-75 lead. However, Embiid (26 & 16) did not make a field goal over the final 11:36 of the contest, as Boston outscored Philadelphia 34-20 the rest of the way. The Celtics rotated fresh bodies on Embiid and will attempt to employ the same strategy here in Game 2. However, some bad news came Boston's way out of Game 1. Gordon Hayward (17.5-6.7-4.1 during the regular season) suffered a Grade III right-ankle sprain in the fourth quarter and is out for the rest of the series and could miss the next round as well if the Celtics get that far. Marcus Smart (12.9-3.8-4.9 in the red season will likely replace him in the starting lineup but that further weakens the Boston bench. Smart scored just two points (0-5 FGs) off the bench in Game 1 and while Stevens used SIX bench players during the game, the group totaled a meager EIGHT points. In contrast, Philly's Alec Burks had 18 points off the bench, all by himself. Horford and Harris combined for 15 rebounds and 14 assists in Game 1 but shot a combined 9 of 22 from the floor (including 0-4 on threes), scoring a total of 21 points. That duo will HAVE to contribute more points but overall. The 76ers enjoyed a 50-43 advantage on the boards but the "deciding factor" in Game 1 was the fact the Celtics committed just SEVEN turnovers, compared to the 76ers' 18. Another nail-biter is expected and I'm taking the points. A Philly win would NOT be a surprise. Good luck...Larry |
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08-19-20 | Jazz +4.5 v. Nuggets | 124-105 | Win | 100 | 6 h 30 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Ut Jazz at 4:00 ET. The sixth-seeded Utah Jazz received 57 points from Donovan Mitchell, who set a Utah record for points in a playoff game, but lost to the third-seeded Denver Nuggets in game 1 of this first round series. Utah entered the 4th quarter with an 83-78 lead and still led by four (102-98) with about 4 1/2 minutes to go. However, the teams would head to OT tied at 115-all. Denver scored the first EIGHTpoints of the extra period and took Game1 by a score of 135-125. Denver PG Jamal Murray dominated down the stretch. He scored 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the fourth quarter & OT, finishing with 36 points and nine assists for the game. Center Nikola Jokic finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds, attacking inside and outside, while getting the best of Rudy Gobert (17 & 7) in their individual matchup. Both teams are missing key pieces as they get set to square off in Game 2. Bojan Bogdanovich (20.2) was Utah's second-highest scorer this season but had surgery to repair a ruptured ligament in his right wrist back in May. PG Conely has had an erratic season (14.4 & 4.4 APG) but the Jazz miss him. He left the bubble for the birth of his son and is back but not yet cleared to play. As for the Nuggets, SF Barton (15.1-5.0-6.3) and SG Harris (10.4), the team's best perimeter defender, each have yet to play in Orlando (won't in Game 2, either). Mitchell had 22 fourth-quarter points but also committed a costly eight-second backcourt violation in the final two minutes of regulation that ultimately ended up becoming the turning point in the game. "I kind of put a little bit on myself for that eight-second violation and then they come down and hit a three that really changed the entire game," Mitchell said. "But at the end of the day, we're not overreacting. It's one game. We got to go back out there and be ready for Game 2." I'm taking the points! Good luck...Larry |
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08-18-20 | Blazers v. Lakers -5.5 | Top | 100-93 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 60 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the LA Lakers at 9:00 ET. The Lakers enter their first round series with the Blazers as the top seed in the Western Conference but I'm sure most have heard "the chatter." The eighth-seeded Blazers, one of the hottest teams in the bubble and led by Damain Lillard (the bubble's most outstanding player), are a dangerous squad and a tough matchup for LA. The Lakers pretty much had the No. 1 seed locked up when they arrived in Orlando and the Lakers played like a team with nothing to prove. LA went 3-5 SU and a money-burning 1-7 ATS in their eight games! In contrast, the Blazers had work to do when they arrived in Orlando, needing to catch Memphis for the No. 8 seed, or stay within four games of the eight-seed, which would force a play-in. Portland went 6-2 and was able to earn the No. 8 seed, when Memphis went 2-6. That forced a play-in situation in which the Blazers and Grizzlies met last Saturday. A Portland win would give them the final playoff spot, while a Memphis win would force a winner-take-all game on Sunday. Lllard continued his outstanding play last Saturday, scoring 31 points and adding 10 assists, as the Blazers made a Sunday game moot, with a 126-122 win. Lillard had averaged 51.3 points in his three previous games before Saturday, including a career-high tying 61 points in a win over the Dallas Mavericks on Aug 11. Backcourt partner McCollum, who has clearly been affected by a nondisplaced fracture in his back. added 29 points. Center Nurkic had missed all games in the regular season but the COVID-19 stoppage of play allowed him to return in Orlando. He averaged 17.6-1.3-4.0 as Portland went 6-2 plus added 22 points and 21 rebounds in Saturday's seed-clinching game with Memphis. The Lakers are led by the dynamic duo of A.D. (26.1 & 9.3) and LBJ (25.3-7.8-10.2) but BOTH played erratically in LA's 3-5 effort. LA's only other double-digit scorer this season has been reserve forward Kyle Kuzma (12.8 & 4.9) but Dion Waiters, who was signed prior to the bubble, has averaged 11.9 PPG in 23.5 MPG here in Orlando. The Lakers have started McGee (6.6 & 5.7) with Howard (7.5 & 7.3) coming off the bench at the center position and the combo has been 'quietly' effective. I have my doubts about LA's ability to "win it all" but after basically 'sleep-walking' through the team's first eight games, I expect A.D. and especially LBJ, to "put Portland in its place" in Game 1 of this series. "Lay it!" Good luck...Larry |
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08-18-20 | Heat -4.5 v. Pacers | 113-101 | Win | 100 | 10 h 2 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Mia Heat at 4:00 ET. The No. 5 Miami Heat and No. 4 Indiana Pacers open a best-of-seven playoff series late Tuesday afternoon, after the teams split a pair of games in the NBA bubble. Miami recorded its THIRD straight win over Indiana with a 114-92 rout last Monday, before the Pacers finally bested the Heat with a 109-92 win on Friday that broke a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Much has been made of the Jimmy Butler and TJ Warren feud but one can't seriously think it will have an effect on the outcome of this game, or the series! Warren earned a spot on the All-Bubble first team after averaging 31.0 PPG in the Pacers' eight games since the restart but he had nowhere near that level of success in three games against the Heat this season, shooting just 11-for-31 overall (35.5 percent), including 3-for-11 on three-pointers (27.3 percent), while averaging just 10.3 PPG. What's more, Warren has a foot injury and has been listed as questionable for this contest. If that were NOT enough, Domantas Sabonis (18.5 & 12.4) has not played in Orlando (he is out indefinitely with plantar fasciitis) plus Oladipo (14.5) and Lamb (12.5 & 4.3) are less than 100% (not sure on their status). The Heat enter this series in much better health, led by swingman Jimmy Butler (19.9-6.7-6.0) and big man Adebayo, who has come into his own this season (15.9-10.2-5.1). veteran PG Dragic (16/2 & 5.1 APG) is joined on the perimeter by undrafted rookie Nunn (15.3), who is set to return for the first time in Orlando (Spoelstra says he'll come off the bench). Rookie guard Herro, 13th overall pick out of Kentucky, has had a solid first season, averaging 13.5 & 4.1 APG). SF Duncan Robinson played just 15 games last season (3.3 PPG in about 11 minutes) but has been a regular this season, averaging 13.5 PPG. SF Jae Crowder, acquired in Feb from Memphis, has given Miami 11.9 & 5.4 in 20 games (28 MPG). Erik Spoelstra is a playoff-tested head coach and quite frankly, he brings the better team into this series. Take Miami to win Game 1, "with room to spare!" Good luck...Larry |
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08-17-20 | 76ers v. Celtics -5.5 | Top | 101-109 | Win | 100 | 10 h 48 m | Show |
My 10* Playoff Opener is on the Bos Celtics at 6:30 ET. The Celtics and 76ers 'tipped off' their respective seasons back on Oct 23, with the 76ers taking care of the Celtics 107-93. It was a nice confidence-builder for Philly, as the Celtics had gone 7-2 SU & 8-1 ATS in their previous nine meetings with Philly. Now, almost NINE months later, the two longtime rivals open against each other in a #3 (Boston) vs #6 (Philadelphia) first round series from the Orlando 'bubble.' Al Horford joined Philly (from Boston) in the off season and the 76ers did win THREE of the four meetings with Boston this season, seemingly turning the tide. However, this series will take on a different complexion in the playoffs, as Philly's All-Star guard Ben Simmons (16.4-7.8-8.0) has been sidelined following knee surgery. Is the loss of Simmons that BIG of a deal? Not all think so. Here's what Boston head coach Brad Stevens noted. "In the games that Simmons hasn't played, they're the No. 1 offense in the league," said Stevens. "The spacing, the shooting around [Joel] Embiid posting, the ability to play big with both Embiid and Al (Horford). ... A bunch of shooters around them makes them very tough." The 76ers went 4-4 during the seeding portion of the NBA season restart, ending on a 2-3 stretch in the games without Simmons. Still, as Stevens alluded to, the team surpassed 100 points in each of those contests, with Horford slotting into the starting lineup in a bigger look. Embiid's a stud (23,0 & 11.6), Harris (19.6 & 6.9) is an excellent SF and Horford (11.9-6.8-4.0) has always been more valuable than his stats indicate. The Celtics have two young stars (superstars?) in Jayson Tatum (23.4 & 7.0) and Jaylen Brown (20.3 & 6.4). Both have had "career years" in the 2019-20 season, while the FA signing of PG Kemba Walker (20.4 & 4.8 APG) has been HUGE. No one in Boston misses Kyrie. Gordon Hayward (17.5-6.7-4.1) is playing like he did three years ago and Marcus Smart (12,9-3.8-4.9) has become a team leader, as well as the team's best defender. Boston's center duo of Theis (9.2 & 6.6) and Kanter (8.1 & 7.4) don't get much respect, but they make up a solid combo. Don't include me as one who buys into the theory of Philly being better off with Simmons. As for Boston, the Celtics were pretty much 'locked into' the No. 3 seed when the restart began but played well in 'the bubble.' They lost their first game to the Bucks 1189-122 (note: game was tied with 1:30 left) but then went 5-1 over their next six, including FOUR straight, before resting their starters in a 96-90 loss to the Washington Wizards on Thursday. I'm laying the points! Good luck...Larry |
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08-15-20 | Grizzlies +6 v. Blazers | Top | 122-126 | Win | 100 | 28 h 3 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on the Mem Grizzlies at 2:30 ET on Saturday. The NBA season resumed back on July 30th in an Orlando 'bubble.' Each team would play eight games and those W/L records would be added to each teams' record as of the shutdown. A typical 16-team playoff season would follow, as all teams would be seeded 1 through 8 based on their overall record, with a lone exception. If the 9th-seed finished within four games of the No. 8 seed in either conference, those two teams would meet in a "play-in" situation. The No. 9 would need to beat the No. 8 seed in back-to-back games to earn the final playoff spot, while the No. 8 seed would need to win only once. Win Game 1 and that would end things, or win Game 2, if needed. The 'battle' for the West's final seed saw the Grizzlies begin the restart with a record of 32-33, which gave them a 3 1/2 game edge over the 29-37 Blazers. The Kings and Pelicans were each 28-36 (also 3 1/2 games back), while the Spurs checked in at 27-36 (4 games back) and the Suns at 26-39 (6 games back). Most expected the Blazers to be the biggest challenger to Memphis and Portland did go 6-2 in Orlando. However, the surprising Suns 'ran the table,' going 8-0. Memphis struggled right from the start in losing its first four games and SIX of its first seven but the team's 119-106 Thursday night win over Milwaukee guaranteed the Grizzlies at least the No. 9 seed. Phoenix routed Dallas 128-102 on Thursday and awaited the result from Portland's game with Brooklyn. Portland could claim the No. 8 seed with a win but the Blazers would miss the postseason with a loss. The Blazers eked out a 134-133 win, leaving the Suns out of luck despite their 8-0 record in Orlando (Memphis claimed the final spot with the same record as Phoenix due to its 3-1 record over the Suns on the season). That sets the stage for Saturday's game and Portland can claim the West's final playoff spot (and a date with the Lakers) with a win. Lose, and the teams meet again on Sunday, in a winner-take-all scenario. The Blazers are led by the dynamic backcourt duo of Lillard and McCollum. Lillard's been brilliant, averaging 37.6 PPG in Orlando, including 51.3 PPG over Portland's last three games. McCollum is averaging 20.1 PPG but his play has clearly been affected by a nondisplaced fracture in his back. The Blazers went 53-29 last season and made it all the way to the West Finals, before getting swept by the Warriors. However, Portland was suffering through a disappointing season filled with injuries and bad breaks, along with sloppy, inconsistent play. However, the COVID-19 forced break allowed the return to health of center Jusuf Nurkic and PF Zach Collins. Nurkic's been excellent (17.6-10.3-4.0) and Collins (6.3 & 7.1), steady. The real surprise in Orlando has been Gary Trent Jr, who owns a career average of 7.6 PPG, but has averaged 16.9 PPG in Orlando. Memphis went just 2-6 in the bubble, often struggling. The loss of Jaren Jackson Jr. (the team's second-leading scorer) really hurt but the team's 3½-game cushion heading into the restart helped keep them in the playoff race. Facing elimination with a loss on Thursday, the Grizzlies played their best game in Orlando. Ja Morant (12-13-10) and Jonas Valanciunas (26-19-12) became the first Grizzlies teammates to record triple-doubles in the same game, while shooting guard Brooks scored a team-high 31 points in the win over the Bucks. Morant has averaged 19.0-5.6-9.9 in the bubble, Brooks 20.1 PPG and Valanciunas 15.3 & 11.5. Conventional wisdom says Portland will advance (needs just ONE win, while Memphis must win TWICE) and Lillard has surely been Orlando's brightest star. However, Memphis beat Portland 111-104 in the teams' only regular season meeting and when these two teams tipped off against each other in the Orlando 'bubble,' Portland eked out a 140-135 win in OT. I'm taking the points and would not even be a little shocked if Memphis forced a game on Sunday! Good luck...Larry |
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08-13-20 | Orioles v. Phillies -1.5 | Top | 11-4 | Loss | -100 | 10 h 19 m | Show |
My 10* Run-Line Rout is on the Phi Phillies at 4:05 ET. The Philadelphia Phillies will look to avoid a three-game series sweep against the visiting The Baltimore Orioles were one of FOUR teams to lose 100-plus games in 2019 (108) but have opened the 2020 season by winning NINE of their first 16 games. That includes the first two of this three-game series at Philadelphia against the Phillies (10-9 in 10 innings and 5-4). The Phillies are a very disappointing 5-8 to open this 60-game season, leaving them in last-place in the NL East. Philly sure can't afford to get swept at home by the Orioles. Thursday's pitching matchup is Baltimore's Thomas Eshelman (0-0, 3.68 ERA) facing Philly's Jake Arrieta (1-1, 2.45 ERA). Eshelman is a former top Phillies prospect who was traded Eshelman to Baltimore Orioles on June 10, 2019. He's made 12 appearances (five starts) since then for the Orioles, going 1-2 with a 6.02 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and .305 BAA. Arrieta began his career with Baltimore back in 2010 but was traded to the Cubs in 2013. He showed excellent improvement in 2014 (10-5, 2.53 ERA) and then won the NL's Cy Young award for the Cubs in 2015 (22-6 with a 1.77 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and .185 BAA). He went 18-8 (3.10 ERA / 1.08 WHIP / .195 BAA) in 2016, when the Cubs won the World Series. However, he fell off the next two seasons and signed a three-year, $75 million free agent deal with the Phillies. He's underachieved (18-19 with a 4.26 ERA) his first two seasons with Philly but in fairness, he's battled injuries these last two years. He dealt with bone spurs in his pitching elbow last season but appears completely healthy in 2020. Arrieta tossed six scoreless innings with six strikeouts against the Atlanta Braves for his first scoreless start since 2018 last Saturday (a 5-0 Philly win). After back-to-back one-run losses, the Phillies avoid the dreaded three-game home sweep and win "with room to spare." Lay the 1 1/2 runs! Good luck...Larry |
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08-13-20 | Bucks v. Grizzlies +1 | Top | 106-119 | Win | 100 | 7 h 22 m | Show |
My 10* Seeding Decider is on the Mem Grizzlies at 4:05 ET. All the postseason matchups in both conferences are set with the exception of which team will face the West's top-seeded Lakers in the first round, after the completion of Wednesday's games. The 34-39 Portland Trail Blazers currently own the No. 8 seed but the 33-39 Memphis Grizzlies, the 33-39 Phoenix Suns (perfect 7-0 in 'the bubble') and the 32-28 San Antonio Spurs (looking to reach the postseason for the 23rd consecutive season) all still have a chance to compete in the play-in series to determine the eighth spot in the West entering Thursday's pivotal slate of games. The Grizzlies, a woeful 1-6 in the bubble, are the FIRST of the above four teams to take the court on Thursday (4:05 ET), as they face the Milwaukee Bucks. Memphis holds the ninth-seed in the West, a half-game behind Portland and technically tied with Phoenix but the Grizzlies own a tie-breaker advantage over the Suns. As for San Antonio, the Grizzlies are percentage points ahead of the Spurs, .458 to .457. If Memphis wins, the Grizzlies will earn at least the No. 9 seed and if Portland loses, would earn back the No. 8 seed. The Grizzlies can also earn an invitation to the play-in series in the ninth position even with a loss, if both the Suns AND Spurs also lose on Thursday. If nothing else, the Grizzlies do control their own fate. The 56-16 Milwaukee Bucks own the NBA's best record and have had little motivation here in the bubble. The Grizzlies will not see likely MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in this must-win game, as he will serve a one-game suspension after he head-butted Washington's Moe Wagner following an offensive foul and verbal exchange in Tuesday's 126-113 win. Truth is, Milwaukee would have likely rested him in this meaningless game and head coach Mike Budenholzer just may play his other starters very little, as well. Jaren Jackson Jr, the Grizzlies' 2nd-leading scorer, tore the meniscus in his left knee earlier in the bubble and is out for the season. Still, Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Jonas Valanciunis and Grandon Clarke are all double-digit scorers. ONE win and Memphis gets to play on. That's the bet. Good luck...Larry |
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08-12-20 | Clippers v. Nuggets +5.5 | Top | 124-111 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET. The Los Angeles Clippers can clinch the West's No. 2 with a win tonight over the Denver Nuggets (Denver is currently the No. 3 seed). However, Kwahi Leonard has said it matters little if LA is the No. 2 or No. 3 seed heading into the NBA playoffs. "There's really no homecourt advantage, no fans out there, no travel," said Leonard, according to the Los Angeles Times. "I definitely think the healthiest teams usually win it all. Guys that have the full roster, have a good bench. Hopefully we can get everybody back and if we can get a rhythm going with the guys that are here that usually play, then we'll see what happens." It's hard to argue with his logic. The 47-23 Clippers hold a 1 1/2-game lead over the Nuggets with two games remaining, while Denver is 1 1/2 games ahead of the 44-26 Houston Rockets, who own the No. 4 seed. The Clippers are just 3-3 in the Orlando 'bubble,' after losing 129-120 to the Nets on Sunday (LA allowed the rag-tag Nets to shoot 55.3% from the floor). George sat out that game, while Kawhi had 39 points. Under these circumstances, one never knows when Kwahi or George will play. Maybe George will play and Kwahi will sit. We KNOW that PGs Shamet and Beverley remain out and that while PF Montrezl Harrell (18.6 & 7.1 has returned to the bubble, he won't play against the Nuggets because he is being quarantined, Harrell could return for Friday's regular-season finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder, coach Doc Rivers said. The Nuggets last played Monday night, losing 124-121 to the Lakers, when Kyle Kuzma made a three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in the game. "I couldn't be more proud of our group," Denver coach Michael Malone told the media after the game. "I thought we played extremely hard. That's the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The fourth time we've played them. Every game has been a battle, it's gone down to the wire. For us to sit our starters that whole fourth quarter and to have the guys on the bench out there giving them all they could handle and lose a heartbreaker is always tough but (I'm) just so proud." EIGHT Denver players scored in double figures, led by reserve guard PJ Dozier with 18 points and forward Michael Porter Jr, who finished with 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting. Porter has "come into his own" here in Orlando, averaging 23.8 & 11.2. SF Barton (15.1 & 6.3) and SG Harris (10.4) remain out but PG Murray has returned the last two games to average 18.5-8.0-5.5. Then there is center Jokic (20.7-6.7-8.5). Denver knows it will almost assuredly have to beat both LA teams to reach The Finals and after that hard-luck loss to the Lakers on Monday, I like the Nuggets' chances here. Especially getting almost a 'TD.' Good luck...Larry |
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08-10-20 | Raptors +6 v. Bucks | Top | 114-106 | Win | 100 | 9 h 53 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Tor Raptors at 6:30 ET. The Bucks (55-15) have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the second season in a row, despite uneven play in the 'bubble' (Milwaukee is just 2-3 SU and ATS). The Raptors lost Friday for the first time since the season restart (122-100 to the Boston Celtics) but they rebounded Sunday afternoon with a 108-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies to clinch the No. 2 seed in the conference at 50-19 (4-1 SU & ATS in the 'bubble.'). Milwaukee has been the East's best regular season for the last two seasons but the Raptors ARE the defending champs and have given every indication that they are ready to make a run at back-to-back titles. How much can this game really mean to Milwaukee? The Bucks have won the two previous meetings between the teams this season, 115-105 at home on Nov 2 and 108-97 at Toronto on Feb 25. There is no denying the Bucks have struggled at times since the restart, as if not for a 'miracle' comeback vs Miami last Thursday, the Bucks would be just 1-4 ATS. Meanwhile, the Raptors sport a terrific seven-man rotation with guards Lowry, VanVleet and Powell plus frontcourt players Siakam, Anunoby, Gasol and Ibaka. In particular, VanVleet (19.4-4.2-6.8) has been outstanding. Giannis Antetokounmpo should win his second straight MVP award (he's spectacular) but he's listed as probable due to a toothache (DON'T downplay that!). Either way, I'm "all over" Toronto with the points in this one! Good luck...Larry |
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08-09-20 | 76ers v. Blazers -2.5 | Top | 121-124 | Win | 100 | 13 h 54 m | Show |
My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on the Por Blazers at 6:35 ET. The Philadelphia 76ers are 42-27, which currently leaves them as the East's No. 6 seed. However, they are just a halg0game back of Miami and Indiana, which are tied for the No. 4 seed. The bad news for Philly is that Ben Simmons suffered a dislocated left kneecap during Wednesday's victory over the Washington Wizards. Philadelphia announced that he will undergo a procedure to remove a loose body from the knee. There wasn't an immediate timetable announced but it's likely that the 76ers won't see Simmons on the floor again until the 2020-21 campaign. Portland suffered a costly 122-117 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, even though Kawhi was rested by LA. The loss drops them 1 1/2 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies (currently eighth-place team in the West). Just as much of a concern is that the Blazers are just a half-game ahead of the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns plus one game in front of the New Orleans Pelicans for the play-in berth (9th-seed). Yes, Portland is playing the second of back-to-back games but ALL the motivation lies with them. This is almost a "must-win." A victory for Portland would be HUGE, as Memphis is playing Toronto (Grizzlies are 7-point underdogs) plus the Spurs and Pelicans are playing each other (one team HAS to lose). Portland has seen the return from injury of two key performers. Center Jusuf Nurkic is finally back on the court and he's averaged 19.6-11.4-4-5.2 in five games. Also, PF Zach Collins is back, averaging 7.0 & 7.4 in about 27 minutes per game. Portland relies heavily on one of the NBA's best backcourts in Lillard and McCollum but don't dismiss the contributions of Carmelo Anthony. He's been a HUGE surprise all season. Then there is second-year pro Gary Trent Jr, who has a career average of 7.5 PPG, but is averaging 20.6 PPG "in the bubble." Damian Lillard scored 22 points but was taking blame for Saturday's loss. He missed two free throws with the Blazers down by one with 18.6 seconds left and was off the mark with a three-pointer that could have tied the score with 9.5 seconds to play. Lillard tied his franchise record with 11 three-pointers and scored 45 points in Portland's 125-115 win over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Expect a HUGE game from him here and lay the 'short' price with Portland. Good luck...Larry |
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08-09-20 | Marlins v. Mets -1.5 | Top | 2-4 | Win | 100 | 7 h 6 m | Show |
My 9* Run-Line Rout is on the NY Mets at 1:10 ET I saw where Karl Ravech tweeted, "The Marlins story of 2020 is so unfathomable yet steering the ship on field and navigating the challenges off it Don Mattingly has been the perfect voice." It's hard to disagree but let's NOT forget that the 2019 Marlins went an NL-worst 57-105. Miami didn't play from July 27 through August 3, after 18 players tested positive for the coronavirus. However, the Marlins missed out on a chance to match the best nine-game start in franchise history on Saturday night, when their six-game winning streak was snapped as the Mets hit three HRs in an 8-4 victory. The victory was just New York's THIRD, in a 10-game stretch (Mets are just 6-9, while the Marlins are 7-2). Pablo Lopez (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to become the first Marlins pitcher to make a second start this season, as Miami is the first team in baseball history to start a different pitcher in each of the season's first nine games. The Mets will counter with two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom (1-0, 2.12), who is making his fourth start of the year. Lopez is in his third season with Miami and comes off a 2019 season in which he made 21 starts, going 5-8 with a 5.09 ERA (Marlins were 7-14 in his starts). He did earn the win in his season debut Tuesday, when the Marlins returned to action and he allowed two hits while striking out seven over five innings in a 4-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. He is 2-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three career starts against the Mets. DeGrom is trying to become just the third pitcher, after Hall of Famers Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson, to win three straight Cy Young Awards. He has picked up where he left off last season, allowing just 12 baserunners in 17 innings. He owns a 2.12 ERA and an 0.71 WHIP (22-3 KW ratio), while holding opposing batter to a .153 BAA. Holding down an opponent is rarely the problem when deGrom takes the mound, rather it's the Mets' inability to get him runs in support. However, the Mets did give him SEVEN runs last Tuesday against the Braves (his 1st "W" of 2020) and I'm NOT 'buying into' the Marlins being a serious contender. I noted the team's 2019 record above and will add that Miami batted .241 as a team (25th) and averaged 3.8 RPG (29th of 30 teams) over the entire 2019 season. Expect deGrom to shut Miami down and for the Mets to give him enough support to 'cover' laying the 1 1/2 runs. Good luck...Larry |
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08-08-20 | Bucks v. Mavs +5 | Top | 132-136 | Win | 100 | 11 h 53 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on the Dal Mavs at 8:35 ET. The Dallas Mavericks have lost THREE of their first four games in the Orlando 'bubble.' The team played three straight highly competitive contests (a 153-149 OT loss to Houston, a 117-115 loss to Phoenix and then a 114-110 OT win against SA), before getting blown out 126-111 by the Clippers on Thursday. The 41-30 Mavs are almost 'locked into' the West's No. 7 and their likely first-round opponent will be the Clippers (not exactly something to look forward to). The Milwaukee Bucks are an NBA-best 55-14, although they've played back-to-back 'curious' games. The Bucks lost 119-116 to the injury-riddled Nets on Tuesday, as 19-point favorites (the contest ranks as the NBA's largest point spread upset in 27 years and according to ESPN, teams favored by 19 or more had gone 49-2 SU over the past 30 years). They then fell behind by as many as 23 points to the Miami Heat on Thursday (Heat were without Butler and Dragic), only to come back to earn the 130-116 win (AND cover!). Milwaukee is just 2-2 since the season resumed. A closer look into that loss to the Nets reveals that Giannis only played the first half as head coach Mike Budenholzer decided to rest some of his starters (no Milwaukee starter played more than 20 minutes against Brooklyn). Not sure I want to guess what Budenholzer's strategy will be these last four games, as the Bucks have wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. As for the Mavs, they could sure use a confidence builder. Completing a two-game season sweep of the Bucks may be "just what the doctor ordered." Dallas ended Milwaukee's 18-game winning streak 120-116 back on Dec 16 on the Bucks' home floor. Revenge for Milwaukee? As noted above, do they really have any motivation for that? There hasn't been a better 'one-two punch' in Orlando than Doncic (32.8-11.0-9.8) and Porzingis (30.3 & 10.0) and I'm expecting another OUTRIGHT win. I had OKC plus-6 in that 105-86 of the Lakers on Weds and Boston plus-3 in its 122-100 win over Toronto, last night. Good things always come in threes! Good luck...Larry |
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08-07-20 | Celtics +2.5 v. Raptors | Top | 122-100 | Win | 100 | 10 h 12 m | Show |
My 10* Eastern Conference Game of the Month is on the Bos Celtics at 9:05 ET. The Toronto Raptors had won four straight when the NBA season was shut down due to COVID-19 and have added THREE straight wins in the Orlando 'bubble.' The Raptors' seven-game winning streak is an NBA-best and Toronto (49-18) takes on the 45-23 Boston Celtics Friday night, knowing a win will clinch the East's No. 2 seed. The Celtics are 2-2 in Orlando but have won two of the three meetings with the Raptors this season. The Celtics last played on Wednesday, routing the under-manned Nets,149-115. Boston shot 56.8 percent from the floor, including making 20 of 39 three-point attempts. SEVEN players scored in double digits, a group which didn't include PG Kemba Walker. Walker sat out to rest his sore left knee but is expected to play against Toronto. With Walker playing, Boston features five double-digit scorers, led by Jayson Tatum (23.3 & 7.0) Toronto has SIX players averaging in double digits, led by Pascal Siakam (23.3 & 7.5). Toronto is currenting receiving excellent production from guard Fred VanVleet, who scored a career-best 36 points in Monday's 107-103 win over the Miami Heat and followed that up with 21 points and 10 assists in Wednesday's victory over Orlando. A concern could be PG Lowry, who was 2-for-9 shooting effort against Orlando and leaving him 4 of 17 from the floor over the past two games (just 22 points), after scoring 33 points (along with grabbing 14 rebounds) in Toronto's 107-92 rout of the Lakers. I'm really starting to 'warm' to the idea that Toronto has a legitimate chance at repeating as NBA champs this year (minus Kawhi) but I don't like them here. I noted that Toronto can clinch the East's No. 2 seed with a win but practically, the Raptors have already clinched the No. 2 seed. The only way for Toronto to NOT earn the No. 2 seed would be to lose each one of its final FIVE games, while the Celtics win each of their remaining FOUR. Not happening! For me, the motivation edge here is with Boston, who could take the series (3-1) from Toronto with a win and give them some extra confidence in a possible matchup with the Raptors in the Eastern semis.. Any points are just a bonus! Good luck...Larry |
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08-06-20 | Blazers -3 v. Nuggets | Top | 125-115 | Win | 100 | 10 h 12 m | Show |
My 10* Western Conference Game of the Month is on the Por Blazers at 8:05 ET. The Denver Nuggets are 2-1 since the restart after earning a 132-126 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. The victory gives them a 45-23 record, just a half-game back of the Clippers for the West's No. 2 seed. The Nuggets are right back on the court tonight, taking on the Portland Trail Blazers, who are also 2-1 in the NBA's Orlando 'bubble.' Portland is off an impressive 110-102 win over the Rockets on Tuesday and with Memphis losing all FOUR of its games since the restart, find themselves just ONE game back of the West's No. 8 seed. Denver returned to play missing THREE key starters and I'm not sure when any of them will return. PG Murray (18.8 & 4.8 APG) has a hamstring problem, SF Barton (15.1-6.3-2.7) has a knee issue and SG Harris (10.4) is bothered by his hip. Jokic (20-4-10.1-7.0 on the season) is 'the center of attention' (pardon the pun) but the team's 'hero' has been Michael Porter Jr. The PF had just 11 points in the team's 125-105 opening loss vs the Heat but he's scored 67 points and grabbed 27 rebounds in Denver's last two games (both wins). While Denver has lost key players to injury, Portland has seen the return from injury of two key performers. Center Jusuf Nurkic is finally back on the court and he's averaged 22.0-12.3-4.3 in three games. Also, PF Zach Collins is back, averaging 7.0 & 7.0. Portland relies heavily one one of the NBA's best backcourts, Lillard (28.8-4.4-8.0) and McCollum (22.5-4.2-4.4) but don't dismiss the contributions of Carmelo Anthony. He's been a HUGE surprise all season, averaging 15.3 & 6.3. Then there is second-year pro Gary Trent Jr, who has a career average of 7.0 PPG, but is averaging 18.0 PPG "in the bubble." Both teams have plenty to play for here but Portland is rested and the Blazers are still trying to secure a playoff berth (NOT the case with Denver). The Nuggets are 3-0 against the Blazers this season and have won NINE of the last 10 meetings but the Blazers are way more healthy and again, are playing for their postseason 'lives!' Lay the small spot. Good luck...Larry |
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08-05-20 | Thunder +6.5 v. Lakers | Top | 105-86 | Win | 100 | 8 h 36 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the OKC Thunder at 6:30 ET. The Lakers clinched the top seed in the Western Conference with Monday's win over Utah and have little to play for these next five games (note: LA Lakers is in the playoffs for the first time since 2013). Meanwhile, the 41-25 OKC Thunder enter this game holding down the West's No. 6 seed, two games better than the Dallas Mavs (No. 7 seed). More importantly, the Thunder know that the fourth-seed is still in realistic reach, as the Rockets and Jazz are both 42-25, a half-game up on OKC. as well. Anthony Davis has averaged 38 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and Jazz but he had just 14 points (on just seven FG attempts) in LA's 107-92 loss to Toronto. LeBron James (24.4-8.0-10.4 on the season) teams with A.D. but only reserve forward Kyle Kuzma (12.5) has averaged more than 10 points on the season. Dion Waiters, a recent signee, has averaged 10.0 PPG in LA's three games of the restart but he's shooting just 40.7%, including 21.4% on threes. OKC has no one in the class of A.D. and LBJ but while backup PG Dennis Schroder is missed (he left the NBA bubble for the birth of his second child Monday morning), the Thunder have been more than competitive with an NBA-best 41-25 ATS mark. Gilgeous-Alexander (19.4 & 6.0), Gallinari (19.2 & 5.4) and Paul (17.8-4.9-6.8) are all capable of "big nights" plus the center duo of Adams (11.0 & 9.4) and Noel (7.6 & 5.0) is at least the equal of LA's duo of McGee and Howard. The points are a bonus in this one, as I'm calling for an outright OKC win, just like what the Raptors did (see above). Good luck...Larry |
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08-04-20 | Celtics -3.5 v. Heat | Top | 106-112 | Loss | -109 | 10 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Bos Celtics at 6:30 ET. The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat are both 1-1 in the NBA's restart, leaving the 44-22 Celtics 2 1/2 games up on the 42-25 Heat with only SIX games left on the schedule as the teams battle for the East's No. 3 seed. Boston last played Sunday, holding off Portland 128-124, in a game they once led by 24 points! Miami played yesterday afternoon and lost a tough one, 107-103 to Toronto. Miami lost the game from the three-point line, shooting just 14 of 45 (31.1%), while allowing Toronto to connect on 16 of 32 (50.0%). Boston's best player, Jayson Tatum, was a brutal 2-of-18 from the floor in Boston's seven-point loss to Milwaukee last Friday but he rebounded to score 34 points plus add a career-high eight assists in the Sunday win over Portland. The third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft has increased his scoring average in each of his three seasons; from 13.9 to 15.7 to 23.4. PG Kemba Walker is on a minutes-restriction as he fights his way back from a knee injury but had 16 points (19 minutes) in the loss to Milwaukee, then added 14 points in 22 minutes against Portland. Jaylen Brown added 30 points against the Blazers (had 22 vs the Bucks) and Gordon Hayward added 22. The Celtics' bench is led by guard Marcus Smart, who is one of the best defenders in the league and also averages 13.5 PPG. Backup Center Enes Kanter averages 8.1 points and 7.6 rebounds. The Heat are led by the all-around talent of Jimmy Butler (20.2-6.6-6.1) but also have SEVEN more players scoring in double digits. That group is led by Bam Adebayo (16.2-10.4-5.1), an All-Star for the Heat this year, plus veteran PG Goran Dragic (16.2 PPG & 5.1 APG). Adebayo had a quiet game, producing 10 points and eight rebounds vs Toronto, while Dragic had 25 points, five rebounds and five assists. It should be noted that Miami was 24-9 through the end of December but since the calendar moved to 2020, has gone a pedestrian 18-16. I will also bring up the fact that the Heat are 5-6 this season without rest but 37-19 with at least one day between games. The Celtics are 2-0 against the Heat this season, winning 112-93 on Dec 4 and 109-101 on Jan 28. Boston takes a FIVE-game regular-season winning streak against Miami into this contest and extends it to SIX straight, giving them a 3 1/2 game lead for that No. 3 seed with just FIVE games remaining. Good luck...Larry |
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08-02-20 | Spurs v. Grizzlies -4 | 108-106 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 43 m | Show | |
My 8* Weekend Wipeout is on the Mem Grizzlies at 4:05 ET. The 28-36 San Antonio Spurs beat the Sacramento Kings 129-120 on Friday but at just 28-36, realize that catching or at least staying within shouting distance of the West's No. 8 seed will be a tough 'road to hoe.' Of course, having Pop as one's coach, surely helps. DeMar DeRozan scored 25 of his 27 points in the second half to pace San Antonio to a win in its first official game back in action, as he scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 in the final 5 1/2 minutes. Memphis is the West's current No. 8 seed and lost its first game since the COVID-19 shutdown, 140-135 in OT. It was a ragged game that had 62 called fouls and five technicals, while Memphis allowed Portland to shoot 53.8%. This is NOT "your father's Spurs" and Coach Pop is staring right at his first-ever losing season as a head coach. Aldridge (18.9 & 7.4) is out for the rest of the year, plus center Trey Lyles (6.4 & 5.7), who started 53 of 63 games, is lost for the rest of the way, as well (appendectomy). DeRozan (22.2-5.6-5.6) will be relied on heavily but I'm not sure we can expect Derrick White (10.6) to score 26 points again (it marked a season-high) vs Memphis. Veteran Rudy Gay (10.6) is a valuable player off the bench but his 19 points was almost double his season average. Then there is Lonnie Waller IV, who scored 16 points. Walker is in his second season and Friday played in just his 71st game (averages 5.1 PPG), making only his fifth start. Rookie PG Ja Morant will likely win ROY honors and he scored 22 points and added 11 assists on Friday, Jarren Jackson Jr led the way with 33 points plus 6-8 rookie Clarke added 21 points off the bench. Veteran center Jonas Valanciunas scored 16 points and SG and Dillon Brooks added 15 points. This Memphis team has a scoring 'punch' that past editions rarely had, as evidenced by the fact that the Grizzlies tied the single-season franchise record of five games with 130 or more points that was set back in 2006-07. Memphis is 32-34, giving them a 2 1/2 game lead over the Blazers and a three-game lead over the Spurs. Beat the Spurs here and get some help from the Celtics, who play the Blazers today, and Memphis could be 'smiling' by Sunday night. Memphis can't control what Portland does but I see then winning here "with room to spare!" Good luck...Larry |
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08-02-20 | Blazers v. Celtics -4 | Top | 124-128 | Push | 0 | 9 h 25 m | Show |
My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Bos Celtics at 3:35 ET. The Portland Trail Blazers edged the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night 140-135 in OT. The win ups Portland's record to 30-37 and leaves them 2 1/2 games behind the 32-34 Grizzlies for the last available playoff spot in the Western Conference. Portland's chase of Memphis resumes on Sunday, when the Blazers face the 43-22 Boston Celtics. The Celtics own the third-best record in the East but after losing Friday 119-112 to Milwaukee, aren't chasing anyone. With just seven games remaining, Boston trails Milwaukee by 10 1/2 games and Toronto by 6 1/2 games in the East. The Celtics' concern now is staying ahead of the 42-24 Miami Heat, who they lead by just 1 1/2 games for the third-seed. Portland expects its guard duo of Lillard and McCollum to lead the way each game and McColum scored 33 points with Lillard adding 29 and nine assists in the OT win over The Grizz. The really good news was the return to play of 7-foot center Jusuf Nurkic, who played his first official game since March 25, 2019. He recorded 18 points, nine rebounds, a career-high-tying six blocks and five assists in 33 minutes as a starter. Starting PF Zach Collins also returned after being out since late October due to an injured left shoulder, adding nine rebounds, seven points and three assists in 37 minutes. As for the Celtics, they fell behind 17-2 to the Bucks on Friday in a 119-122 loss. However, Boston closed the gap to just six at the half and entered the 4th quarter tied. The game was still tied with under 1 1/2 minutes left (107-all), but Milwaukee outscored Boston 12-5 to get the win and cover. All this, with Boston's best player, Jayson Tatum (23.3 & 7.1), shooting just 2-of-18 from the floor (five points). All Star PG Kemba Walker had been out due to an injury to his left knee but scored 16 points in 19 minutes. Head coach Brad Stevens said Walker will still be on a minutes restriction against Portland but Boston will take another 16 points from Walker, here. Brown (22 & 4) and Hayward (17-9-6) both had solid games plus Boston guards Smart (23) and Wannamaker (14) each had strong games off the bench. All games in the Orlando 'bubble' are neutral-site contests but it should be helpful to look at teams' road record before the stoppage of play. Portland was just 11023, while Boston was solid 20-12. Boston's a significantly better team and don't expect Tatum to go 2-of-18 again, or for Portland to shoot 53.8% as a team (Blazers are shooting 64.2% on the season). Lay the points with Boston. Good luck...Larry |
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08-01-20 | Lakers v. Raptors +4 | Top | 92-107 | Win | 100 | 15 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Tor Raptors at 8:30. LBJ noted that finding a rhythm on offense might take time for the Los Angeles Lakers. One could say that was the case for the Lakers on Thursday, as they escaped with a 103-101 win over the Clippers. The Lakers shot only 39.0% from the floor, including 11-36 (30.6%) on threes. A.D. led the way with 34 points (eight rebounds), while LBJ (16-11-7) and Kuzma (16) were the only other Lakers in double digits. The win gives the Lakers a 50-14 record, while increasing their edge in the Western Conference standings to 6 1/2 games over the Clippers with only SEVEN seven contests remaining in the abbreviated regular season. Toronto is the defending champions and owned the league's third best record at 46-18, when play was halted in March. However, the Raptors are a distant second in the Eastern Conference behind the 54-12 Milwaukee Bucks. This contest marks Toronto's first game of the restart. James scored the winning basket inside with 12.8 seconds left, converting after getting the rebound of his own missed shot. He also forced Paul George to miss a game-winning three-point attempt at the final horn. "I love having the ball in my hands late in the game, tie game, being down, being up," said James. However, he struggled on offense, shooting only 6-for-19 and committing five turnovers. LA is without starting PG Bradley, who opted out of the restart. His perimeter defense will be missed. The Lakers have gotten decent production from their two-headed center duo, as starter McGee averaged 6.8 & 5.8 and Howard adds 7.4 & 7.3. The Raptors completed the last of three scrimmages last Tuesday, taking a 117-106 loss against the Phoenix Suns. Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 17 points while Norman Powell added 14. Fred VanVleet finished with 13, and Kyle Lowry had 11 points and seven assists. Of course, the defending champs no longer have Kawhi (also, Danny Green signed with the Lakers as a FA) but the roster is loaded with quality players. More importantly, all are healthy and available for the restart. Up front it's PF Siakam (23.6 & 7.5), SF Anunoby (11.4) plus a center combo of Ibaka (16.0 & 8.3) and Gasol (7.6 & 6.3). Toronto's guard trio of Lowry (19.7-4.8-7.7), VanVleet (17.6-3.8-6.6) and Powell (16.4) match up favorably against ANY backcourt in the league. The Lakers are off an emotional win over the Clippers and I see no reason for them to be laying points here vs the Raptors, who have beaten the Lakers 10 straight times! The Lakers last defeated Toronto back on Nov 30, 2014. Take the points! Good luck...Larry |
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07-31-20 | Kings -3 v. Spurs | Top | 120-129 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 7 m | Show |
My 10* NBA Restart Opener is on the Sac Kings at 8:00 ET. The Sacramento Kings and the San Antonio Spurs are two of the 22 teams playing in the Orlando 'bubble.' Just nine teams compete in the Eastern Conference, while tonight's participants are among 13 Western Conference teams still competing. The Kings are 3 1/2 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the final Western Conference spot while the Spurs are four out with just eight games to play. Catching the Grizzlies (currently the 8th-seed) is a stretch but both teams still have a chance to stay with four games of the 8th-seed, which could get them into a two-game "play-in" situation. San Antonio's task was harder with the news of power forward LaMarcus Aldridge being lost to season-ending shoulder surgery. The Spurs have made the playoffs in 22 consecutive seasons but will need a strong finishing kick to keep that streak alive. Meanwhile, the Kings are looking to avoid missing the playoffs for the 14th straight season and are currently in a virtual tie with the Portland Trail Blazers for the 9th-seed, a half-game up on the Pelicans and Spurs. Sacramento PF Marvin Bagley III (foot) will miss the rest of the season but realistically, it's NOT a big deal. He averages 14.2 & 7.5 but has played in only 13 of the Kings' 64 games. More notably. PG De'Aaron Fox (20.4 & 6.8 APG) is ready to play after tweaking his left ankle earlier this month plus SF Harrison Barnes (14.7 & 4.8 ) recently rejoined the club after testing positive for COVID-19. Luke Walton has a VERY deep team and recently said that the Kings have fared better this season when Bogdan Bogdanovic (14.5) starts at SG, while Buddy Hield (19.8-4.8-3.1) comes off the bench. He's indicated that will again be the pecking order against San Antonio. SG Bazemore was a late-January pickup and in 21 games has averaged 10.3 PPG. Frontcourt depth comes in center Holmes (12.8 & 8.3) and PF Bjelica (11.9 & 6.4). Popovich has indicated that with Aldridge out, veteran guard DeMar DeRozan (22.2-5.6-5.6) could see time at power forward. He would join center Jakob Poeltl (5.3 & 5.3) and the lineup arrangement would include PGs Dejounte Murray (10.7) and Derrick White (10.4) as starters along with SG Bryn Forbes (11.2). SF Gay (10. & 5.4) will be a valuable contributor but losing center Trey Lyles (6.4 & 5.7), who started 53 of 63 games, to an appendectomy is the kind of under the radar injury that will be a bigger than expected loss. This is NOT "your father's Spurs" and Coach Pop is staring right at his first-ever losing season as a head coach. The Kings have won FOUR of their last five meetings with the Spurs and the reason is, they are the BETTER TEAM. Lay the 'short' price! Good luck...Larry |
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07-25-20 | Tigers v. Reds -1.5 | Top | 6-4 | Loss | -114 | 11 h 12 m | Show |
My 9* Run-Line Game of the Month (IL) is on the Cin Reds at 5:10 ET. The NL Central shapes up as the most wide-open division in MLB (not counting Pittsburgh, naturally). The Cubs were +230 to win the division, the Cards were +240 and Brewers were +350. That trio could be considered "the usual subjects" but the Reds (at +230), were listed as co-favorites with the Cubs. Their starting pitching rotation of Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Trevor Bauer, Wade Miley and Anthony DeSclafani looks VERY good plus the DH will help the lineup, Also of note is the fact that Joey Votto has been joined by the bats of Mike Moustakas plus Nicholas Castellanos. Meanwhile, the Tigers are coming off a MLB-worst 47-114 season in which Detroit finished 53 1/2-games back of the Twins in the NL Central. The teams "played to form" on Friday, as the Reds won 7-1. Sonny Gray pitched six innings, allowing three hits, one ER and added nine Ks. Mike Moustakas paid early dividends on that four-year, $64 million contract he signed in the offseason, by belting a two-run HR to highlight a three-hit, four-RBI performance. Taking the mound for the second game of this three-game set will be Detroit's Ivan Nova (11-12, 4.72 ERA in 2019 with the White Sox) and Cincy's Luis Castillo (15-8, 3.40 ERA in 2019).Nova made a MLB-high 34 starts last season but won just 11 games. His 114 K gave him his worst strikeout rate (5.49 per nine innings) since 2014. Nova sports a 5-7 record with a 4.24 ERA in 12 career starts vs the Reds, Castillo started strong in 2019 with an 11-4 mark and enjoyed his first All-Star selection (was 8-3 with a 2.29 ERA at the break). His 11th win came on August 5 but he won just FOUR of his last nine starts (Reds were just 4-5 in those games). However, his 15 wins were fifth-best in the NL and his 226 strikeouts tied for 12th in strikeouts per nine innings (10.7). Castillo will be getting his first start against the tigers. Castillo has set the bar high on the heels of his breakout season in 2019, claiming that he'd like to capture the National League Cy Young Award in 2020 and have the Cincinnati Reds qualify for the playoffs. Winning the Cy Young may be a 'bridge too far' but the Reds making the playoffs (recently expanded!) seems like a good bet. So is laying the 1 1/2-runs with the Reds in tonight's game against the hapless Tigers. Good luck...Larry |
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03-11-20 | Georgia +4 v. Ole Miss | Top | 81-63 | Win | 100 | 11 h 49 m | Show |
My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Georgia at 7:00 ET.
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03-11-20 | St. John's -2.5 v. Georgetown | Top | 75-62 | Win | 100 | 11 h 34 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Rivalry Game of the Year is on St John's at 7:00 ET.
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03-11-20 | Washington v. Arizona -5 | Top | 70-77 | Win | 100 | 10 h 12 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Arizona at 5:30 ET.
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03-11-20 | Fordham v. George Washington -2.5 | Top | 72-52 | Loss | -115 | 23 h 41 m | Show |
My 9* Revenge Rout is on George Washington at 3:30 ET.
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03-11-20 | Utah v. Oregon State -3.5 | Top | 69-71 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 21 m | Show |
My 9* Afternoon Delight is on Oregon St at 3:00 ET.
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03-10-20 | Suns v. Blazers -3.5 | Top | 105-121 | Win | 100 | 13 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* West Coast Crusher is on the Por Blazers at 10:05 ET.
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03-10-20 | Magic v. Grizzlies -2 | Top | 120-115 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 51 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on the Mem Grizzlies at 8:05 ET.
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03-10-20 | North Carolina -3.5 v. Virginia Tech | Top | 78-56 | Win | 100 | 10 h 12 m | Show |
My 9* Revenge Rout is on North Carolina at 7:00 ET.
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03-10-20 | St Francis PA -1 v. Robert Morris | Top | 67-77 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 49 m | Show |
My 10* NEC Tourney Game of the Year is on St Francis (Pa) at 7:00 ET.
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03-10-20 | Illinois-Chicago v. Northern Kentucky -4 | Top | 62-71 | Win | 100 | 10 h 32 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Northern Kentucky at 7:00 ET.
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03-09-20 | St. Mary's +4.5 v. BYU | Top | 51-50 | Win | 100 | 14 h 39 m | Show |
My 10* West Coast Crusher is on St Mary's at 11:30 ET.
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03-09-20 | Raptors v. Jazz -3.5 | Top | 101-92 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 17 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Ut Jazz at 9:05 ET.
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03-09-20 | Oral Roberts v. North Dakota State -1 | Top | 69-75 | Win | 100 | 11 h 60 m | Show |
My 10* Summit League Tourney Game of the Year is on North Dakota St at 7:00 ET.
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03-09-20 | Coastal Carolina v. Appalachian State -4 | Top | 65-70 | Win | 100 | 8 h 7 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Appalachian St at 7:00 ET.
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03-09-20 | Illinois-Chicago v. Wright State -6 | 73-56 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 51 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Wright St at 7:00 ET.
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03-08-20 | Iowa v. Illinois -3.5 | Top | 76-78 | Loss | -108 | 11 h 37 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Illinois at 4:00 ET.
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03-08-20 | Lakers +2.5 v. Clippers | Top | 112-103 | Win | 100 | 5 h 3 m | Show |
My 10* Division Game of the Year (Pacific) is on the LA Lakers at 3:35 ET.
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03-08-20 | Valparaiso v. Bradley -3 | Top | 66-80 | Win | 100 | 5 h 25 m | Show |
My 10* MVC Champ Game is on Bradley at 2:05 ET.
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03-08-20 | Michigan v. Maryland -4 | Top | 70-83 | Win | 100 | 5 h 1 m | Show |
My 9* Eye-Opener is on Maryland at 1:00 ET.
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03-07-20 | Stanford v. Oregon -7.5 | Top | 67-80 | Win | 100 | 13 h 47 m | Show |
My 9* West Coast Crusher is on Oregon at 11:00 ET.
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03-07-20 | Ole Miss v. Mississippi State -6 | Top | 44-69 | Win | 100 | 10 h 26 m | Show |
My 10* CBB Rivalry Game of the Year is on Mississippi St at 6:30 ET.
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03-07-20 | Wisconsin v. Indiana -2 | Top | 60-56 | Loss | -109 | 6 h 44 m | Show |
My 9* Eye-Opener is on Indiana at 12:00 ET.
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03-06-20 | Santa Clara +3 v. Pepperdine | Top | 73-84 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 49 m | Show |
My 10* WCC Tourney Game of the Year is on Santa Clara at 11:30 ET.
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03-06-20 | Bucks v. Lakers +1 | Top | 103-113 | Win | 100 | 16 h 53 m | Show |
My 9* "Best vs the Best Showdown Play is on the LA Lakers at 10:35 ET.
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03-06-20 | Missouri State v. Indiana State +2 | Top | 78-51 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 48 m | Show |
My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Indiana St at 9:35 ET.
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03-06-20 | VCU v. Davidson -4 | Top | 65-75 | Win | 100 | 10 h 9 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Davidson at 9:00 ET.
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03-06-20 | Heat v. Pelicans -1.5 | Top | 104-110 | Win | 100 | 9 h 16 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on the NO Pelicans at 8:05 ET.
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03-05-20 | 76ers v. Kings -5 | Top | 125-108 | Loss | -103 | 15 h 50 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Sac Kings at 10:05 ET.
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03-05-20 | Oakland v. Green Bay -4 | Top | 63-78 | Win | 100 | 10 h 1 m | Show |
My 10* Horizon League Tourney Game of the Year is on Wisconsin-Green Bay at 8:00 ET.
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03-05-20 | Illinois State v. Drake -2.5 | Top | 65-75 | Win | 100 | 10 h 60 m | Show |
My 10* MVC Tourney Game of the Year is on Drake at 7:00 ET.
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03-04-20 | Dayton v. Rhode Island +4.5 | Top | 84-57 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 43 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Rhode Island at 9:00 ET.
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03-04-20 | Virginia -2 v. Miami-FL | Top | 46-44 | Push | 0 | 11 h 21 m | Show |
My 9* Conference Crusher (ACC) is on UVA at 9:00 ET.
Good lucky...Larry |
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03-04-20 | LSU v. Arkansas -2.5 | Top | 90-99 | Win | 100 | 9 h 16 m | Show |
My 9* play is on Arkanasa at 7:00 ET.
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03-04-20 | Tulsa v. Temple -2.5 | Top | 61-51 | Loss | -108 | 9 h 14 m | Show |
My 9* play is on Temple at 7:00 ET.
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03-03-20 | Purdue v. Iowa -5 | Top | 77-68 | Loss | -106 | 15 h 53 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Game of the Year is on Iowa at 9:00 ET. Full, detailed analysis by 9:00 ET Tuesday morning. |
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03-03-20 | Maryland v. Rutgers -1 | Top | 67-78 | Win | 100 | 12 h 11 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Rutgers at 7:00 ET.
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03-03-20 | Wake Forest v. North Carolina -7.5 | Top | 83-93 | Win | 100 | 9 h 3 m | Show |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on North Carolina at 7:00 ET.
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Larry Ness ALL Sports Sides Picks
Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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08-24-20 | Lakers v. Blazers +7.5 | Top | 135-115 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 55 m | Show |
08-24-20 | Pacers +6.5 v. Heat | Top | 87-99 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 28 m | Show |
08-23-20 | Nuggets +3.5 v. Jazz | Top | 127-129 | Win | 100 | 13 h 32 m | Show |
08-23-20 | Celtics v. 76ers +8 | Top | 110-106 | Win | 100 | 4 h 7 m | Show |
08-22-20 | Rockets v. Thunder +3.5 | Top | 107-119 | Win | 100 | 12 h 7 m | Show |
08-22-20 | Pacers +5.5 v. Heat | Top | 115-124 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 28 m | Show |
08-21-20 | Clippers -4.5 v. Mavs | Top | 130-122 | Win | 100 | 16 h 1 m | Show |
08-21-20 | Nuggets -1.5 v. Jazz | 87-124 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 2 m | Show | |
08-20-20 | Blazers v. Lakers -6.5 | Top | 88-111 | Win | 100 | 15 h 14 m | Show |
08-20-20 | Magic v. Bucks -12.5 | 96-111 | Win | 100 | 10 h 49 m | Show | |
08-19-20 | 76ers +5 v. Celtics | Top | 101-128 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 56 m | Show |
08-19-20 | Jazz +4.5 v. Nuggets | 124-105 | Win | 100 | 6 h 30 m | Show | |
08-18-20 | Blazers v. Lakers -5.5 | Top | 100-93 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 60 m | Show |
08-18-20 | Heat -4.5 v. Pacers | 113-101 | Win | 100 | 10 h 2 m | Show | |
08-17-20 | 76ers v. Celtics -5.5 | Top | 101-109 | Win | 100 | 10 h 48 m | Show |
08-15-20 | Grizzlies +6 v. Blazers | Top | 122-126 | Win | 100 | 28 h 3 m | Show |
08-13-20 | Orioles v. Phillies -1.5 | Top | 11-4 | Loss | -100 | 10 h 19 m | Show |
08-13-20 | Bucks v. Grizzlies +1 | Top | 106-119 | Win | 100 | 7 h 22 m | Show |
08-12-20 | Clippers v. Nuggets +5.5 | Top | 124-111 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 58 m | Show |
08-10-20 | Raptors +6 v. Bucks | Top | 114-106 | Win | 100 | 9 h 53 m | Show |
08-09-20 | 76ers v. Blazers -2.5 | Top | 121-124 | Win | 100 | 13 h 54 m | Show |
08-09-20 | Marlins v. Mets -1.5 | Top | 2-4 | Win | 100 | 7 h 6 m | Show |
08-08-20 | Bucks v. Mavs +5 | Top | 132-136 | Win | 100 | 11 h 53 m | Show |
08-07-20 | Celtics +2.5 v. Raptors | Top | 122-100 | Win | 100 | 10 h 12 m | Show |
08-06-20 | Blazers -3 v. Nuggets | Top | 125-115 | Win | 100 | 10 h 12 m | Show |
08-05-20 | Thunder +6.5 v. Lakers | Top | 105-86 | Win | 100 | 8 h 36 m | Show |
08-04-20 | Celtics -3.5 v. Heat | Top | 106-112 | Loss | -109 | 10 h 58 m | Show |
08-02-20 | Spurs v. Grizzlies -4 | 108-106 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 43 m | Show | |
08-02-20 | Blazers v. Celtics -4 | Top | 124-128 | Push | 0 | 9 h 25 m | Show |
08-01-20 | Lakers v. Raptors +4 | Top | 92-107 | Win | 100 | 15 h 13 m | Show |
07-31-20 | Kings -3 v. Spurs | Top | 120-129 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 7 m | Show |
07-25-20 | Tigers v. Reds -1.5 | Top | 6-4 | Loss | -114 | 11 h 12 m | Show |
03-11-20 | Georgia +4 v. Ole Miss | Top | 81-63 | Win | 100 | 11 h 49 m | Show |
03-11-20 | St. John's -2.5 v. Georgetown | Top | 75-62 | Win | 100 | 11 h 34 m | Show |
03-11-20 | Washington v. Arizona -5 | Top | 70-77 | Win | 100 | 10 h 12 m | Show |
03-11-20 | Fordham v. George Washington -2.5 | Top | 72-52 | Loss | -115 | 23 h 41 m | Show |
03-11-20 | Utah v. Oregon State -3.5 | Top | 69-71 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 21 m | Show |
03-10-20 | Suns v. Blazers -3.5 | Top | 105-121 | Win | 100 | 13 h 13 m | Show |
03-10-20 | Magic v. Grizzlies -2 | Top | 120-115 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 51 m | Show |
03-10-20 | North Carolina -3.5 v. Virginia Tech | Top | 78-56 | Win | 100 | 10 h 12 m | Show |
03-10-20 | St Francis PA -1 v. Robert Morris | Top | 67-77 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 49 m | Show |
03-10-20 | Illinois-Chicago v. Northern Kentucky -4 | Top | 62-71 | Win | 100 | 10 h 32 m | Show |
03-09-20 | St. Mary's +4.5 v. BYU | Top | 51-50 | Win | 100 | 14 h 39 m | Show |
03-09-20 | Raptors v. Jazz -3.5 | Top | 101-92 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 17 m | Show |
03-09-20 | Oral Roberts v. North Dakota State -1 | Top | 69-75 | Win | 100 | 11 h 60 m | Show |
03-09-20 | Coastal Carolina v. Appalachian State -4 | Top | 65-70 | Win | 100 | 8 h 7 m | Show |
03-09-20 | Illinois-Chicago v. Wright State -6 | 73-56 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 51 m | Show | |
03-08-20 | Iowa v. Illinois -3.5 | Top | 76-78 | Loss | -108 | 11 h 37 m | Show |
03-08-20 | Lakers +2.5 v. Clippers | Top | 112-103 | Win | 100 | 5 h 3 m | Show |
03-08-20 | Valparaiso v. Bradley -3 | Top | 66-80 | Win | 100 | 5 h 25 m | Show |
03-08-20 | Michigan v. Maryland -4 | Top | 70-83 | Win | 100 | 5 h 1 m | Show |
03-07-20 | Stanford v. Oregon -7.5 | Top | 67-80 | Win | 100 | 13 h 47 m | Show |
03-07-20 | Ole Miss v. Mississippi State -6 | Top | 44-69 | Win | 100 | 10 h 26 m | Show |
03-07-20 | Wisconsin v. Indiana -2 | Top | 60-56 | Loss | -109 | 6 h 44 m | Show |
03-06-20 | Santa Clara +3 v. Pepperdine | Top | 73-84 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 49 m | Show |
03-06-20 | Bucks v. Lakers +1 | Top | 103-113 | Win | 100 | 16 h 53 m | Show |
03-06-20 | Missouri State v. Indiana State +2 | Top | 78-51 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 48 m | Show |
03-06-20 | VCU v. Davidson -4 | Top | 65-75 | Win | 100 | 10 h 9 m | Show |
03-06-20 | Heat v. Pelicans -1.5 | Top | 104-110 | Win | 100 | 9 h 16 m | Show |
03-05-20 | 76ers v. Kings -5 | Top | 125-108 | Loss | -103 | 15 h 50 m | Show |
03-05-20 | Oakland v. Green Bay -4 | Top | 63-78 | Win | 100 | 10 h 1 m | Show |
03-05-20 | Illinois State v. Drake -2.5 | Top | 65-75 | Win | 100 | 10 h 60 m | Show |
03-04-20 | Dayton v. Rhode Island +4.5 | Top | 84-57 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 43 m | Show |
03-04-20 | Virginia -2 v. Miami-FL | Top | 46-44 | Push | 0 | 11 h 21 m | Show |
03-04-20 | LSU v. Arkansas -2.5 | Top | 90-99 | Win | 100 | 9 h 16 m | Show |
03-04-20 | Tulsa v. Temple -2.5 | Top | 61-51 | Loss | -108 | 9 h 14 m | Show |
03-03-20 | Purdue v. Iowa -5 | Top | 77-68 | Loss | -106 | 15 h 53 m | Show |
03-03-20 | Maryland v. Rutgers -1 | Top | 67-78 | Win | 100 | 12 h 11 m | Show |
03-03-20 | Wake Forest v. North Carolina -7.5 | Top | 83-93 | Win | 100 | 9 h 3 m | Show |