Cnotes 2018 - 2019 NBA Thru The Playoffs-Picks/Trends/News !

[Cnotes53]

Wednesday?s 6-pack

Odds for the Byron Nelson golf tournament this week:

13-2? Brooks Koepka

16-1? Hideki Matsuyama

18-1? Jordan Spieth

20-1? Aaron Wise, Henrik Stenson

25-1? Marc Leishman

30-1? Patrick Reed, Keith Mitchell, Branden Grace

Quote of the Day
?I learned the value of hard work by working hard.?
Margaret Mead

Wednesday?s quiz
What was the nickname of the old ABA team that played home games in Virginia, and had Julius Erving/George Gervin on it?

Tuesday?s quiz
2016 was the last time the NBA Finals went to a 7th game, when Cleveland beat Golden State.

Monday?s quiz
Chicago Bulls (24-11, .686) have the best W-L %age in NBA Finals games. San Antonio (23-11, .676) have the next-best record.

*****************************

Wednesday?s List of 13: Mid-week musings??

13) PJ Tucker plays for the Rockets; he is 34 now. He is an important player for them, but only scored 7.3 ppg this season, shooting 37.7% on arc. He started every game, playing 34.2 mpg.

Winning teams have role players who flourish in that role; Tucker makes $8M a year, so he is obviously well compensated for that role.

For five years, from 2007-13, Tucker played pro ball in Israel, Ukraine, Germany and Italy. This is a guy who has paid his dues and probably could write a hell of a book.

12) When Jacob deGrom was playing shortstop in college for Stetson, he hit one home run; off of Chris Sale, who pitched for Florida Gulf Coast.

11) Quote of the Day, part II, from Kyrie Irving after shooting 7-22 in Monday?s loss:

?For me, I had 22 shots, I should?ve shot 30 ? just the consistency of going at it, staying aggressive is always going to put us in a great position???

10) Best over teams in baseball:
? Mariners 25-10-2, +13.57 units
? With Sox 19-12-2, +6.59
? Royals 21-14-1, +6.23
? Rangers 19-12-1, +5.04
? Cubs 19-13, +5.04

Best under teams:
? Reds 23-11-1, +10.69 units
? Blue Jays 21-14, +5.92
? Brewers 21-15-1, +5.22
? Tigers 18-13, +4.34
? Rays 19-14-1, +4.17

9) There are 65 Power Five college football teams; CBSSports.com ranked them #1-65 this week, with Rutgers coach Chris Ash #65, Colorado coach Mel Tucker #64. Tucker was interim coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011, but hasn?t coached a game in Boulder yet.

I?m assuming Nick Saban is #1 and Dabo Swinney #2, but they haven?t released their top 25 yet. Thats sportswriting in May; stretch things out as much as possible.

Herm Edwards is ranked #54, which is interesting; the guy went 54-74 in the NFL. Lasting eight years as an NFL head coach should get him higher than #54 on the college list.

8) This will be the first time since 1996 that the Kentucky Derby winner won?t be running in the Preakness; Grindstone won the ?96 Derby, then never raced again because of injury.

7) Over last two years, San Diego?s Hunter Renfroe has pinch-hit with bases loaded three times; he has nine RBI in those AB?s, with two of the three hits walk-offs.

6) When Maximum Security was DQ?d at the Kentucky Derby Saturday, a woman from Ohio lost out on a $186,000 prize she would?ve won via a promotion through Rocket Mortgage.

5) Georgia Bulldogs have five top 100 recruits coming to Athens in the fall, so they figure to be a vastly improved team next season.

4) Start of Monday?s Giants-Reds game was delayed 18 minutes because of a swarm of bees that gathered near the seats behind home plate.

Giants-Reds split the four-game series, despite Cincinnati outscoring the Giants 24-2 in the first three innings of the four games.

3) College basketball transfer portal:
? James Bolden jumps from West Virginia to Alabama.
? Nevada poached Desmond Cambridge (15.7 ppg) from Brown.
? Marquette poached grad transfer Jayce Johnson (7.1 ppg) from Utah.

2) Get well soon to Mets? broadcaster/former pitcher Ron Darling, who was diagnosed with treatable thyroid cancer recently. He is expected to return to TV sometime next month.

1) 51 years ago tonight, May 8, 1968, Catfish Hunter threw a perfect game for the A?s against Minnesota; he also knocked in three of the A?s runs in their 4-0 win.

 

[Cnotes53]

Wednesday's Tip Sheet
May 7, 2019
By Kevin Rogers

Eastern Conference Semifinals ? Game 5 (Bucks lead 3-1)
Boston at Milwaukee (TNT, 8:05 p.m. ET)

Things change quickly in a playoff series for better or worse. Boston stuck it to Milwaukee in Game 1 in a 22-point blowout at Fiserv Forum, but the Celtics have gone from flying high to one loss away from elimination in a 10-day span.

Milwaukee captured a pair of victories at TD Garden, where the Celtics lost a total of one playoff game last season. After the Bucks topped the Celtics in Game 3 as two-point underdogs, 123-116, Milwaukee rallied Boston to take Game 4 in Beantown, 113-101 as one-point ?dogs. The key to both road wins in this series is Milwaukee?s ability to thrive after halftime by outscoring Boston, 33-23 in the third quarter of Game 4.

Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated the Celtics once again with 39 points and 16 rebounds, while Milwaukee overcame a horrific shooting night from three-point range going 8-of-37. Khris Middleton put together a 4-of-19 performance from the floor after scoring 20 points in Game 3, but George Hill stepped up off the Bucks? bench to score in double-digits for the third time in this series with 15 points.

Kyrie Irving?s struggles from the floor continued in Game 4 as the Celtics? guard scored 23 points, but shot 7-of-22, including hitting 1-of-7 three-point attempts. In the three Boston losses, Irving has converted 4-of-20 shots from downtown, while converting on 19-of-62 field goal attempts (30.6%). Gordon Hayward has been missing in action recently for Boston by scoring 10 points or fewer in each of the past three games, including a measly two points in Game 4.

Milwaukee improved to 7-1 SU/ATS in the playoffs following Monday?s win, while owning a solid 9-2 ATS mark in the underdog role. The Bucks are flipped to a home favorite on Wednesday, as Mike Budenholzer?s team is 9-1-1 ATS in the past 11 wins at Fiserv Forum. The Celtics are listed at their highest underdog price this season (+9) as the last time Boston was receiving nine points, it knocked off Philadelphia in overtime in Game 3 of the second round in 2018.

VegasInsider.com NBA expert Tony Mejia checks in with what could be the final game of the Celtics? season, ?The Celtics face the difficult obstacle of having to find a chemistry on the road that has thus far eluded them at home. Irving is struggling to have the impact he envisioned having on ?his? team after being liberated from a supporting role under LeBron James, which is why it?s looking increasingly likely that he?ll give up and seek out a better fit in New York.?

?Brad Stevens needs to get everyone on the same page early and have a group in mind he?s going to want to turn to in case the game is spiraling away. Against a team that led the NBA in double-digit wins and margin of victory, that?s going to be important given the Bucks? approach of stepping on the throat of teams at the new Fiserv Forum. Keep all this in mind when weighing whether to lay the big number,? Mejia said.

Western Conference Semifinals ? Game 5 (Series tied 2-2)
Houston at Golden State (TNT, 10:35 p.m. ET)

Apparently, the Western Conference second round series between the Warriors and Rockets hasn?t started yet. Golden State won the first two games at Oracle Arena, while Houston responded with a pair of victories at Toyota Center to even up its series at 2-2. Now, the two Western powers travel back to Oakland as the two-time defending champions look to avoid their first three-game losing streak in the playoffs for the first time since blowing a 3-1 lead to the Cavaliers in the 2016 Finals.

Houston held off Golden State in overtime to grab Game 3 and get back into the series, but the Rockets were not going to allow the Warriors to take a 3-1 advantage. The Rockets built a 13-point second quarter advantage and led 61-54 at halftime thanks to 18 points from James Harden. Houston held a 17-point cushion in the third quarter before Golden State made a furious comeback to cut the deficit to two points with 19 seconds remaining on a three-pointer by Stephen Curry.

Harden split a pair of free throws to go up three as Curry hoisted a three-pointer to tie the game in the final seconds, but missed as the Rockets held on for a 112-108 victory and the cover as one-point favorites. Harden finished with 38 points, including 6-of-17 from three-point range, while Eric Gordon overcame a 2-of-12 performance from downtown to post 20 points.

Golden State was limited to 8-of-33 shooting from long distance (24%), but Curry finally busted out after three subpar efforts by scoring 30 points. Kevin Durant continued his hot scoring run with 34 points, but Klay Thompson didn?t contribute much by putting up 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting. The Warriors didn?t help themselves at the free throw line by misfiring on seven attempts, their most misses in any game during the postseason.

After watching the ?under? easily cash in the opener of this series, the ?over? has cashed in the last three games and bettors riding the high side certainly had to sweat out a couple of those outcomes. The total for Game 5 opened at 220 and Chris David of VegasInsider.com provides his thoughts on Wednesday?s number.

He said, ?We finally saw the Houston offense click in this series at home as it averaged 119 PPG in the two games from the Toyota Center. That average was certainly helped with shots from distance as Houston hit 35 bombs from 3-point land in their victories. The bigger issue for the Rockets has been their inability to score at Oracle Arena in the playoffs and that?s a large part of the reason why they haven?t been able to get past the Warriors. Since the 2015 postseason, they?ve played 11 games in the Bay Area and Houston is averaging 94 PPG. That lack of offense has resulted in a 1-10 record and not surprisingly, the ?under? has gone 9-2 in those games.?

?To be fair, this year?s Rockets squad has looked a tad sharper in their trips to Oracle. They scored 135 and 118 points in a pair of regular season wins and while losing Game 1 and 2 of this series, they did finish with 100 and 109 points. The issue with those playoff losses is that they came out flat and were held to just 19 and 20 points in the first quarter of the setbacks. Can Houston carry over the offensive momentum to Game 5? Past history doesn?t look great for it but the difference of this year?s Warriors team is their defense, which allowed 111 PPG in the regular season and 115.4 PPG in the playoffs. My lean would be to ride the hot team and play the Houston Team Total Over (107) on Wednesday.?

Since 2015, the Warriors are 2-1 SU/ATS in Game 5?s of a series tied at 2-2, as the two victories have come at Oracle Arena. The lone loss in this stretch came on the road at Houston in last season?s conference finals, but Golden State went on to win the final two games of the series. The last time Houston played a Game 5 on the road with the series even at 2-2, the Rockets fell in overtime to the Spurs, 110-107 as a 5 ?-point underdog in the 2017 second round.

 

[Cnotes53]

Rockets-Dubs going 7?; Bucks can finish C's
May 7, 2019
By The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Kevin Durant vs. James Harden. This duel may just go the distance, and the two stars know it.

Everyone figured the Western Conference semifinal between Golden State and Houston had a chance to be more like the NBA Finals in terms of talent on each side, and now it's tied at 2-all.

The NBA's best are dazzling on defense and trading big shots on offense.

''The way both teams are playing with such intensity and aggression, it's fun to be out there,'' Durant said. ''We're looking forward to Game 5.''

The series resumes Wednesday night at Oracle Arena, which could host its final game if Golden State doesn't handle business at home. The Warriors will move to new Chase Center in San Francisco next season.

''The mood's good. Playoffs, this is what it's about,'' Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday afternoon once his team touched down in Oakland. ''Our team has been here many times. We've been in much worse situations, being down in a series, being on the road for Game 7s. We've pretty much seen it all. This is just another chapter in the book.''

Also Wednesday, Boston will try to stave off elimination playing at Milwaukee. The Bucks are up 3-1.

''These kinds of situations show a lot about people,'' Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. ''It doesn't always mean you're going to have success. But competing at the level you need to compete and making sure you're as urgent as you've ever been on every possession is of ultimate importance.''

Back in the Bay Area, Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will try to find their shooting touch. They combined to shoot 9 of 35 on 3-pointers and 30 of 79 overall the past two games.

Curry and Durant each missed good looks from long range with a chance to tie Game 4 in the waning seconds.

Chris Paul and Harden, meanwhile, know they might have swung momentum after evening the series with Monday night's 112-108 victory.

''I hope so. I hope we have it,'' Harden said. ''We're not going to let up. We're going to keep coming at you until the end of the game.''

A look at Wednesday's games:

ROCKETS AT WARRIORS

Series tied at 2. Game 5, 10:30 p.m. EDT, TNT

NEED TO KNOW: The Warriors have acknowledged their lack of focus at times this season, losing badly at home on a handful of occasions and struggling with the basics such as taking care of the ball.

Now, they will try to channel positive energy into another performance like their 115-109 Game 2 victory at Oracle in which Golden State showed intensity on both ends.

''We love it. Obviously, we would love to be up 3-1 or have the series over, but there's no panic,'' Curry said. ''We're together and we understand what the task at hand is. It's very similar to the last series where you just roll with the punches and get the job done any way you can. We can take control of the series at home and take it from there.''

INJURY WATCH: Golden State flew later in the day Tuesday so players could receive treatment and get some recovery time, Kerr said.

Starting forward Andre Iguodala is probable after hyperextending his left knee late in Monday's loss.

Meanwhile, Harden's left eye is still red from an injury in Game 2.

''It just looks crazy but it's getting better,'' he said. ''The doctor said it might be a couple of days or it might be a week before it clears up.''

Durant grabbed his right elbow repeatedly during Game 4. The two-time reigning finals MVP was hurt when he trailed Harden on an early fast break and bumped the Houston star in the head while attempting to block the shot from behind.

In addition, guard Shaun Livingston is ''a little banged up,'' Kerr said.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Rebounding. The Rockets outrebounded the Warriors 55-35 in their Game 3 win then 50-43 on Monday - getting 20 from Clint Capela in the two victories.

Golden State held an edge on the boards in Games 1 and 2.

It starts with defense to generate rebounding opportunities like the Warriors had in their two wins at home.

PRESSURE IS ON: The Warriors' 3-point shooting.

Golden State shot 8 for 33 from deep in Game 4 while the Rockets finished 17 of 50.

''I thought we took a lot of quick, hasty shots where we didn't have the rhythm, where we let them off the hook,'' Kerr said. ''It's not anything elaborate.''

CELTICS AT BUCKS

Bucks lead 3-1. Game 5, 8 p.m. EDT, TNT

NEED TO KNOW: After heading to the bench with his fourth foul early in the third quarter, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo had 17 points and seven rebounds in the fourth to help the Bucks pull away in Game 5. He has averaged 33 points per game in Milwaukee's three straight wins after struggling in Game 1.

INJURY WATCH: Stevens said Marcus Smart came through injury-free in his first game since suffering an abdominal injury on April 7, the second-to-last game of the regular season. Yet Stevens acknowledged there was some rust. ''When you haven't played full-speed, 5-on-5, especially when you're coming back for a playoff game, I think that's difficult,'' Stevens said. ''But we kind of knew that going in. I thought he did give us some good stuff, too, when he was in there.''

Smart played 15 minutes in Game 4, limited to three points while shooting 1 of 7 on 3-pointers.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Bench scoring. Boston's bench was outscored 32-7 in Game 4 after being outscored 42-16 in Game 3. With the Celtics' starters struggling in the third quarter in this series, they will need their reserves to step up in Game 5.

PRESSURE IS ON: Kyrie Irving. After declaring that he wouldn't have another performance like his 8-for-22 shooting in Game 3, he went 7 of 22 in Game 4. He hasn't been shy about saying that it's up to him to lead the Celtics during the postseason. It might be his final game with Boston before he can become a free agent this summer. The six-time All-Star had 23 points and 10 assists in the 113-101 Game 4 defeat, shooting 1 of 7 from deep.

Irving scored 26 points in Boston's Game 1 victory. Since then, he is 19 of 62, going 4 of 20 on 3s.

 

[Cnotes53]

 

[Cnotes53]

509Boston -510 Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE is 45-26 ATS (16.4 Units) versus up-tempo teams averaging 88 or more shots/game in the last 3 seasons.

511Houston -512 Golden State
HOUSTON is 43-23 ATS (17.7 Units) in road games after playing a home game in the last 3 seasons.


NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, May 8


Boston @ Milwaukee

Game 509-510
May 8, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
115.121
Milwaukee
133.905
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 18
224
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
by 9
218
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(-9); Over

Houston @ Golden State

Game 511-512
May 8, 2019 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
119.677
Golden State
133.246
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 13 1/2
212
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 6
219 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-6); Under


NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, May 8

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BOSTON (54 - 36) at MILWAUKEE (67 - 23) - 5/8/2019, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 54-33 ATS (+17.7 Units) in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 45-30 ATS (+12.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
MILWAUKEE is 29-18 ATS (+9.2 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
MILWAUKEE is 23-14 ATS (+7.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 44-28 ATS (+13.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
MILWAUKEE is 43-26 ATS (+14.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 24-15 ATS (+7.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 103-82 ATS (+12.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 33-21 ATS (+9.9 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 79-59 ATS (+14.1 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 51-34 ATS (+13.6 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 148-112 ATS (+24.8 Units) in road games revenging a home loss vs opponent since 1996.
BOSTON is 242-187 ATS (+36.3 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
BOSTON is 55-42 ATS (+8.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 73-57 ATS (+10.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 67-112 ATS (-56.2 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 13-8 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 11-10 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
13 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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HOUSTON (59 - 32) at GOLDEN STATE (63 - 29) - 5/8/2019, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 90-64 ATS (+19.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
HOUSTON is 29-18 ATS (+9.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HOUSTON is 41-27 ATS (+11.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 39-52 ATS (-18.2 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 35-47 ATS (-16.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 18-27 ATS (-11.7 Units) in home games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 49-65 ATS (-22.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 31-47 ATS (-20.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 16-26 ATS (-12.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 32-41 ATS (-13.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 12-9 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 11-11 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
14 of 22 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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


NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, May 8

Milwaukee?s bench was +52 in its Game 4 win; Bucks are up 3-1 in series, can end things with a home win here. Celtics lost three of last four visits to Milwaukee; underdogs covered four of last five series games. Irving was only 7-22 from floor; will this be his last game with Boston? Irving/Brown shot combined 25-69 from floor in last two games. Bucks scored 119.7 ppg in losing last three games; they won/covered four of last five road games. Milwaukee won six of last seven games overall, covering three of last four at home. Five of their last seven games went over the total.

Home side won all four Houston-Golden State games; over is 2-0-1 in last three. Rockets shot 35-92 (38%) on arc in Games 3-4, after shooting 31-87 (35.6%) in Games 1-2. Houston took 50 3?s, 39 2?s in Monday?s win; their bench outscored Golden State?s 18-11. Rockets lost four of last five road games (1-4 vs spread, under 4-1). Warriors split last six games overall, split last four home games, losing twice to Clippers. Curry was 4-14 on arc in Game 4, was 6-23 in Games 3-4. Over is 6-2-1 in Golden State?s last nine games, 3-6-1 in Houston?s last ten. Warriors? bench was only 4-8 from floor in Game 4.


NBA

Wednesday, May 8

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

Boston Celtics
Boston is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Boston is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Boston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Boston's last 13 games on the road
Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Boston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Boston's last 16 games when playing Milwaukee
Boston is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Boston is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Milwaukee is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Milwaukee's last 15 games
Milwaukee is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Milwaukee's last 16 games when playing Boston
Milwaukee is 5-12-1 ATS in its last 18 games when playing at home against Boston
Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Boston

Houston Rockets
Houston is 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games
Houston is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games on the road
Houston is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Houston's last 13 games when playing Golden State
Houston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Houston is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Golden State is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games
Golden State is 8-14-1 ATS in its last 23 games at home
Golden State is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Golden State's last 16 games at home
Golden State is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Golden State's last 13 games when playing Houston
Golden State is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Houston
Golden State is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 7 games when playing at home against Houston

 

[Cnotes53]

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

BOS at MIL 08:00 PM
MIL -8.5
U 219.5

HOU at GS 10:30 PM
GS -6.0
O 220.0

 

[Cnotes53]

Bucks beat Celtics 116-91 to advance to East final
May 8, 2019
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MILWAUKEE (AP) Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks found another gear after their first loss of the playoffs.

Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics just couldn't keep up.

Antetokounmpo had 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and the Bucks routed the Celtics 116-91 on Wednesday night to advance to the Eastern Conference final.

After sweeping Detroit in the first round, top-seeded Milwaukee struggled in Game 1 against Boston and lost 112-90 in one of its worst offensive performances of the season. But Antetokounmpo led the way as the Bucks responded with four straight wins by a combined 65 points.

''I think our mindset changed,'' Antetokounmpo said. ''In the first game, we weren't focused enough. We weren't ourselves. The next four games, we came out with a different approach, a different mindset.''

The Bucks used a balanced attack to close out the Celtics in Game 5, placing seven players in double figures. Khris Middleton had 19 points and eight rebounds, and Eric Bledsoe finished with 18 points.

Next up for the Bucks is the winner of the Philadelphia-Toronto series. The Raptors are up 3-2 heading into Game 6 on Thursday night.

It's the first Eastern Conference final for Milwaukee since 2001.

''At the end of the day, we realize we've never been there before,'' Antetokounmpo said. ''We're really hungry to achieve our goals. That's all we care about. As long as we play hard, we really don't care about what anybody has to say.''

Prior to the clinching win, several Bucks took turns speaking to the team.

''Giannis' speech was, `A lot of us probably came from nothing and we have the opportunity to write our own story right now.' That's what everybody did,'' George Hill said.

The Celtics clamped down on Antetokounmpo for most of the game, but Middleton, Bledsoe, Hill and Nikola Mirotic picked up the scoring to help rob the game of any drama in the final minutes.

Hill finished with 16 points, and Mirotic had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon also had 10 points in his return to the lineup after being sidelined by plantar fasciitis.

''Everybody was ready to play,'' Hill said. ''Everybody was ready for the opportunity to put them away as quick as we can.''

Irving scored 15 points for Boston, which shot 31.2% from the field. Jayson Tatum and Marcus Morris each had 14.

''Not what we expected,'' Boston center Al Horford said. ''Just disappointing for us. At the end of the day, really, you have to give Milwaukee credit. They're just a better team than us. That's a reality.''

Antetokounmpo picked up his third foul when Jaylen Brown drove to the hoop early in the second half, but he stayed in the game. He stole an Irving pass and slammed it home to make it 65-52 with 6:45 left in the third quarter.

Antetokounmpo, one of the front-runners for NBA MVP, closed out the period with consecutive baskets, including a finger-roll layup that gave the Bucks an 80-62 lead.

''They played like they wanted it,'' Irving said.

Irving went 6 for 21 from the field in what might have been his final game with Boston. He is eligible for free agency in the offseason, and his future is one of the major questions facing the Celtics this summer.

''I understand we didn't meet the outside expectations,'' coach Brad Stevens said. ''We rode a roller coaster most of the year.''

Irving's only 3-pointer of the night trimmed Milwaukee's lead to 38-32 with 2:51 left in the second quarter. But Brogdon and Mirotic each connected from long range to help the Bucks to a 52-39 advantage at the break.

Brogdon hadn't played since March 15. He also had four assists and three rebounds.

BOSTON SLAM

The Celtics' loss eliminated the chance for a ''Boston Slam,'' the possibility of an unprecedented sweep of all four major pro championships in a year.

The Red Sox won the World Series in October, and the Patriots took the Super Bowl title in February. The Bruins open the Eastern Conference final on Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes.

PARDON ME

Referee David Guthrie accidently sat down on a fan's lap after getting knocked backward in a collision with two players. The game was momentarily delayed while attendants cleaned up a spilled beverage.

TIP-INS

Celtics: Marcus Smart was shaken up after Milwaukee's Brook Lopez fell on his legs after blocking his shot. Both exchanged pats on the back after Smart got up.

Bucks: Ersan Ilyasova had 10 points. Pat Connaughton finished with seven points and 11 rebounds.

UP NEXT

Milwaukee gets some rest before the start of the Eastern Conference final.

 

[Cnotes53]

Warriors star Kevin Durant leaves with calf injury
May 9, 2019
By The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Golden State star Kevin Durant has left Game 5 of the Warriors' playoff series against the Houston Rockets with a strained right calf.

Durant limped to the locker room after landing awkwardly on his right foot following a baseline jumper with 2:11 left in the third quarter. The team says he will not return.

Durant had 22 points, five rebounds and four assists Wednesday night. The two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP was averaging 35.4 points in the playoffs coming into the day.

The best-of-seven series was tied at two games apiece. Game 6 is Friday back in Houston.

 

[Cnotes53]

Durant hurt, Warriors hold off Rockets
May 9, 2019
By The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Klay Thompson scored 27 points, including a key layup with 4.1 seconds left, and the Golden State Warriors overcame Kevin Durant's calf injury to beat the Houston Rockets 104-99 on Wednesday night for a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

Durant strained his right calf late in the third quarter. The two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP limped to the locker room after landing awkwardly following a baseline jumper. He finished with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists.

James Harden scored 31 points for the Rockets, who will try to stave off elimination back home in Houston on Friday night.

Durant's status for Game 6 is unclear. After he departed with the injury, the rest of Golden State's array of stars helped the Warriors close it out.

Draymond Green received his fourth technical of the postseason with 3:39 left, and then knocked down a 3-pointer on the other end. Thompson followed Green's 3 with one of his own to make it 97-89 with 2:33 remaining.

Stephen Curry struggled with his shot yet again and finished with 25 points on 9-for-23 shooting. He went 3 of 11 from long range.

BUCKS 116, CELTICS 91

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, helping Milwaukee advance to the Eastern Conference final.

The top-seeded Bucks placed seven players in double figures in their fourth straight win after dropping the series opener. Khris Middleton had 19 points and eight rebounds, and Eric Bledsoe finished with 18 points.

Next up for the Bucks is the winner of the Philadelphia-Toronto series. The Raptors are up 3-2 heading into Game 6 on Thursday night.

It's the first Eastern Conference final for Milwaukee since 2001.

Kyrie Irving scored 15 points for Boston, which shot 31.2% from the field. Jayson Tatum and Marcus Morris each had 14.

The Celtics clamped down on Antetokounmpo for most of the game, but Middleton, Bledsoe, George Hill and Nikola Mirotic picked up the scoring to help rob the game of any drama in the final minutes.

Hill finished with 16 points, and Mirotic had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon also had 10 points in his return to the lineup after being sidelined by plantar fasciitis.

 

[Cnotes53]

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY MAY 9, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:05 PM Toronto Raptors Philadelphia 76ers Wells Fargo Center
10:35 PM Denver Nuggets Portland Trail Blazers Moda Center at the Rose Quarter

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY MAY 10, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
9:00 PM Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Toyota Center

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
3:00 PM Houston Rockets Golden State Warriors ORACLE Arena
3:00 PM Philadelphia 76ers Toronto Raptors Scotiabank Arena
3:00 PM Portland Trail Blazers Denver Nuggets Pepsi Center


***********************************


NBA PLAYOFF RECORD OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

05/08/2019 2-2-0 50.00% -1.00
05/07/2019 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50
05/06/2019 1-2-1 33.33% -6.00
05/05/2019 2-2-0 50.00% -1.00
05/04/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/03/2019 1-3-0 25.00% -11.00
05/02/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/01/2019 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50

Totals..............12-13-1 48.00% -12.00


******************************


BEST BETS:

DATE........................ATS................... ..UNITS..................O/U..................UNITS.............TOTALS

05/08/2019.............1 - 1....................-0.50.....................1 - 1...................-0.50.............-1.00
05/07/2019.............0 - 2....................-11.00...................1 - 1...................-0.50.............-11.50
05/06/2019.............0 - 2....................-11.00...................1 - 0..................+5.00.............-6.00
05/05/2019.............1 - 1....................-0.50.....................1 - 1..................-0.50..............-1.00
05/04/2019.............1 - 0....................+5.00....................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+10.00
05/03/2019.............0 - 2....................-11.00...................1 - 1..................-0.50..............-11.50
05/02/2019.............1 - 0....................+5.00....................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+10.00
05/01/2019.............0 - 1.....................-5.50....................1 - 0.................+5.00..............-0.50


Totals.....................4 - 9.....................-29.50...................8 - 4.................+18.00.............-11.50


**************************

APRILS NBA BEST BETS


Totals....................23 - 21..................-0.50.................25 - 27................-19.50..............-20.00

 

[Cnotes53]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

? Indians are 14-7 outside their division, but only 5-9 vs AL Central rivals.

? Warriors 104, Rockets 99? Kevin Durant strained a calf muscle, will probably miss Game 6.

? Bucks 116, Celtics 91? Milwaukee is in Final Four for first time since 2001.

? Hey, sports betting is legal in Indiana now. It isn?t legal yet here in New York.

? UConn, Louisville, Indiana, and Texas Tech will be the four teams at the 2019 Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in December.

? NBA teams that win Game 5 of a playoff series with a 2-2-1-1-1 format have won that series 162 of 189 times (85.7%).


**********

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud??.

13) Kawhi Leonard has played in all ten of Toronto?s playoff games this spring, playing 36.6 minutes a game; no nights off for ?load management? He has been great.

During the regular season, Leonard sat out 22 games, played 34 mpg when he did play; is this a hint of things to come? Stars taking periodical days off to reduce the stress of a long season?

Steve Kerr suggested the regular season be cut back from 82 to 75 games, for that reason. As long as the players? salaries get reduced by the same %age as the games are reduced, I?d be OK with it.

Taking games off when you?re not hurt is BS? people might be spending lot of money to take their kids to see a guy play, and then he doesn?t, for no reason. It is bad business.

12) Texas Rangers? DH Joey Gallo is first big leaguer ever to hit 100 home runs before he hit 100 singles; he hit his 100th homer Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh.

11) From Baylor?s Twitter account:

?Baylor Athletics is thrilled to announce a lead gift for the Baylor Basketball Pavilion. This new facility will be made possible thanks to recently publicized $100 million anonymous gift as a part of Baylor University?s Give Light Campaign.?

Someone gave Baylor $100M; 100 million freakin? dollars. Wow.

10) One of the funny things about watching baseball on TV every night is when a team is doing badly, their TV guys quickly transition to other stuff, like the local team?s NBA/NHL playoff games, or the team?s concessions stands, or the bobblehead giveaway next week, or next month.

Can?t be easy for these guys when a team sucks or is struggling; they travel with the team, with social media nowadays, any criticism they say on air gets back to the players quickly, but the job is to tell the truth, too. Delicate balance that some do way better than others.

9) ?If I ain?t starting, then I?ll be departing?.?

Matthew Baldwin could?t beat Justin Fields out for the QB job at Ohio State, so he is gone to TCU, where he will sit out this season, meaning he will have sat out for two years in a row after he started for only one year in high school in Lake Travis, TX.

8) We talked yesterday about CBSSports.com?s ranking the power 5 college football coaches; they listed #1-25 Wednesday, with Washington?s Chris Petersen #3, behind Saban/Swinney. Lincoln Riley was #4, Jimbo Fisher #5.

7) They somehow list Duke?s David Cutcliffe at #21; if Cutcliffe is such a great coach, how come he can?t recruit competent WR?s? All I heard in the New York media during/after the draft was how terrible Duke?s WR?s were. Shouldn?t the #21 coach in the country be able to coach ?em up better than they?ve been?

6) College basketball transfer portal:
? DJ Harvey bolts from Notre Dame to Vanderbilt.
? Vermont lands grad transfer Daniel Giddens from Alabama.

5) Florida Gators inked a home/home football series with Colorado; Buffs will visit Gainesville in 2028, the Gators will visit Boulder in 2029. What is interesting about this? It will be the first time Florida has left the Sunshine State for a true non-conference road game (non-bowl game) since losing at Syracuse in 1991.

4) Paul George had rotator cuff surgery since Oklahoma City was eliminated from the NBA playoffs, is going to have another operation on the other shoulder, and is expected to miss at least part of training camp next fall.

3) Toronto?s Trent Thornton used to be on my fantasy team; he was cut during his horrendous start last night against the Twins.
His four starts when he was in my lineup: 0-3, 9.00 ERA, 2.13 WHIP
His four starts when he was on my bench: 0-1, 2.42 ERA, 0.85 WHIP
Enough already.

2) Mike Fiers has started 162 major league games; he finished two of them, both of them no-hitters, throwing 134-131 pitches. Hell of a performance late Tuesday night.

1) Doug Kern came up with some great no-hitter knowledge:

Mike Fiers: First pitcher to throw his second no-hitter since Jake Arrieta 2015-16.

Fiers? second one was against the Reds.
Arrieta?s second one was against the Reds.

Final out of Fiers? second one: Eugenio Suarez.
Final out of Arrieta?s second one: Eugenio Suarez.

 

[Cnotes53]

<a href="http://www.freeimagehosting.net/commercial-photography/"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/J2tXltX.png" alt="Commercial Photography"></a>

 

[Cnotes53]

513Toronto -514 Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA is 46-25 ATS (18.5 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game in the last 3 seasons.

515Denver -516 Portland
PORTLAND is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) revenging a road loss vs opponent of 10 points or more in the current season.




NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, May 9

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

TORONTO (65 - 27) at PHILADELPHIA (57 - 35) - 5/9/2019, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 211-265 ATS (-80.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 146-119 ATS (+15.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 54-37 ATS (+13.3 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) after a division game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 80-59 ATS (+15.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 36-24 ATS (+9.6 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 48-32 ATS (+12.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 81-59 ATS (+16.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 48-28 ATS (+17.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 35-18 ATS (+15.2 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 11-6 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 12-5 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DENVER (61 - 33) at PORTLAND (59 - 33) - 5/9/2019, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) in road games after scoring 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 94-77 ATS (+9.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 32-23 ATS (+6.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
PORTLAND is 49-36 ATS (+9.4 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 48-32 ATS (+12.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
DENVER is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 11-5 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 10-7 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
12 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, May 9

76ers have been held to 96 or fewer points in four of five series games; they won by 21 the one big game Embiid had (9-18 in Game 3, 14-42 in other four games combined). Simmons was 3-5 from floor in Game 5; he is taking only 8.4 shots/game in series, has been to foul line total of four times- they need lot more from him than that. Toronto crushed the 76ers by 36 Tuesday, can end series with road win here; Raptors are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits here. Key for the Raptors is how much support Leonard gets; he?s been playing great. Five of last six series games stayed under the total. Home side won eight of last 11 series games.

Denver won last two games since losing 4-OT game in Game 3 in Portland; they can close series out with win here. Nuggets won nine of last 12 games with Portland, covered last four visits to Oregon. Eight of last nine series games went over. Home side won eight of last 11 series games. Jokic has 79 points, 49 rebounds, 31 assists in his last three games. Under is 4-2 in Blazers? last six wins; four of their last five losses went over. Lillard/McCollum shot combined 14-37 in Game 5; they?ll need big game here to force Game 7. Portland coach Stotts is 15-33-2 vs spread in playoff games.




NBA

Thursday, May 9

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

Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Toronto is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Toronto's last 11 games
Toronto is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 16-6 ATS in its last 22 games when playing Philadelphia
Toronto is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Toronto is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Philadelphia is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games
Philadelphia is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Philadelphia is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 6-16 ATS in its last 22 games when playing Toronto
Philadelphia is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Philadelphia is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Toronto

Denver Nuggets
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Denver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games
Denver is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games on the road
Denver is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Portland
Denver is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Denver's last 9 games when playing Portland
Denver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Denver is 4-17 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Portland is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games
Portland is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Portland's last 21 games at home
Portland is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Denver
Portland is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Portland's last 9 games when playing Denver
Portland is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
Portland is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing at home against Denver


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

NBA
Dunkel

Thursday, May 9


Toronto @ Philadelphia

Game 513-514
May 9, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
125.688
Philadelphia
127.880
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 2
202
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 2
213
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+2); Under

Denver @ Portland

Game 515-516
May 9, 2019 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Denver
125.691
Portland
119.109
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Denver
by 6 1/2
229
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 4
215 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Denver
(+4); Over

 

[Cnotes53]

Thursday's Playoff Essentials
Tony Mejia

Eastern Conference Semifinals ? Game 6 -- Raptors lead 3-2

No. 2 Toronto (-2/213) at No. 3 Philadelphia, ESPN, 8:05 p.m. ET

May 7 ? Raptors (-6) 125 vs. 76ers 89 (Over 212.5)
May 5 ? Raptors (+2) 101 at 76ers 96 (Under 216)
May 2 ? 76ers (+1.5) 116 vs. Raptors 95 (Under 216.5)
April 29 ? 76ers (+7.5) 97 at Raptors 89 (Under 220)
April 27 ? Raptors (-6.5) 108 vs. 76ers 95 (Under 223)

April 27 - Raptors (-6.5) 108 vs. 76ers 95 (Under 227)

Feb. 5 - Raptors (+2.5) 119 at 76ers 107 (Under 231)
Dec. 22 ? 76ers (-7.5) 126 vs. Raptors 101 (Over 222.5)
Dec. 5 - Raptors (-6.5) 113 vs. 76ers 102 (Under 229)
Oct. 30 - Raptors (-6) 129 vs. 76ers 112 (Over 227.5)

The 76ers entered this postseason as a popular choice to stun everyone and win the Eastern Conference.

They?re one loss away from coming out of it with everyone?s star shining a little dimmer.

Joel Embiid hasn?t been himself since before the All-Star break but has shown flashes of the game-breaking brilliance he put on display before his knee issues intensified to have Philadelphia up 2-1 in this very series. Then he fell ill. Unlucky, but unfortunately, the game stops for no one. He?s looked like a shell of himself over the past few games and his team has suffered.

Ben Simmons, who you would expect to step up to help make Embiid?s burden easier, has instead regressed. He?s taken a backseat to Jimmy Butler and is incredibly averaging 9.4 points and 4.6 assists in the series. Butler, who may leave for L.A. as a free agent this summer, has emerged as the leader Simmons is supposed to be and at this stage in their careers, is better-suited for the role.

Tobias Harris and J.J. Redick haven?t gotten off in the same game once in this series, which has been a major factor in the offense bogging down as often as it has. Redicks missed five of six looks in Game 5 and ended up a minus-21 for the game. James Ennis came off the bench to miss all four of his shots in 23 minutes and wound up a minus-30.

The Raptors imposed their will on Tuesday night thanks to a 20-point second-quarter advantage, holding Philadelphia to 6-for-24 from 3-point range for the game. The Sixers couldn?t have played worse, so if you?re into the bounce-back factor, getting back home and seeing a few shots drop early could get them going as they look to avoid elimination. Because of Simmons shrinking and Embiid looking drained, Brett Brown has ridden Butler as his catalyst, so ball movement has suffered. They?ve got to get back to sharing the ball and creating open looks for one another, but you have to wonder whether that?s going to be possible with the Raptors as locked in as they?ve been.

The Raptors have been locked in on the defensive end since falling behind in the series and have seen Pascal Siakam impressively make a huge difference despite being at less than 100 percent due to a calf shooting the ball poorly from beyond the arc. A more complete effort helped take some of the pressure off Kawhi Leonard, who has made a strong case for being the NBA?s best player in this series. With Danny Green knocking down five of seven 3-point shots, Toronto crushed the 76ers, handing them their worst playoff loss since the 1982 Finals.

Coming back from that starts with Embiid, who is getting no sympathy despite his plight. Charles Barkley eloquently captured the general consensus of his impact on the 76ers since dominating Game 3, commenting that ?he walks around like he?s on his death bed. He drains the energy out of the team.? He should be in better condition for this first elimination game that Philadelphia has come up against this season. Last year?s team went 1-1 when facing the end of their season, avoiding a sweep in the conference semifinals against the Celtics with a 103-92 home win before being eliminated in Boston last May 9.

You might remember how that game ended, with Embiid missing a pair of shots right around the basket late before being stripped by Terry Rozier, who knocked the ball of his leg. Boston held on 114-112.

The top scorer in both of those elimination games was Dario Saric, which may say something about Embiid and Simmons, who had chances to extend that series and fell to the Kyrie Irving-less Celtics 4-1. Embiid said last season that the next step in the ?process? after finally reaching the playoffs last season was to make the conference finals. The 76ers are in danger of failing to attain their season goal.

Saric was dealt away in the Butler deal, which might end up being a rental if he bolts for L.A. It will be interesting to see how this version of the 76ers handles the desperation of a close-out game, especially with guys who have plenty of experience putting teams away on the other side. Kyle Lowry, Siakam and Serge Ibaka have done their share of winning over the past few seasons, while first-year Raptors Leonard, Green and Marc Gasol have been in this situation a bunch over their careers.

NBA expert Kevin Rogers spotted a trend that may have you riding a low-scoring affair.

?The Raptors have played in five road Game 6?s since the 2014 playoffs and there is one common thread through those contests,? Rogers said. ?Toronto has scored 92 points or fewer in four of those games, while all five have finished ?under? the total. However, the Raptors have advanced in each of the last two seasons when leading a series, 3-2 on the road by beating Milwaukee in the 2017 first round and eliminating Washington in the 2018 opening round.?

If Embiid is in better spirits and the 76ers don?t fumble away the ball early, they?ve got a shot at a return trip to Toronto, which the 7-footer promised rapper Drake would happen as he left the floor for the final time on Tuesday night. No one is feeling much empathy for Embiid since he was so demonstrative during his dominant Game 3 effort and continues to keep up the bravado despite not backing his words up on the floor. He and Simmons had combined for more turnovers (12) than buckets (8) through the first three quarters of Game 5, part of a collective meltdown from a team now looking to prove it has indeed made strides despite the moment currently looking too big for their young stars.

Philadelphia won Game 3 as a 1.5-point home underdog, posting their first victory in that role after going 0-2 straight up during the regular-season (1-1 ATS) in games against the visiting Warriors and Bucks. Including the results from this series, Toronto has seen the ?under? go 8-2 in the postseason while Philadelphia is 7-3 to the low side.


Western Conference Semifinals ? Game 6 -- Nuggets lead 3-2

No. 2 Denver at No. 3 Portland (-4/215.5), ESPN, 10:35 p.m. ET

May 7 ? Nuggets (-5) 124 vs. Blazers 98 (Over 213)
May 5 ? Nuggets (+3) 116 at Blazers 112 (Over 211)
May 3 ? Blazers (-5) 140 vs. Nuggets 137 (Over 215)
May 1 ? Blazers (+4) 97 at Nuggets 90 (Under 219.5)
April 29 ? Nuggets (-4) 121 vs. Blazers 113 (Over 215.5)

April 7 ? Blazers (-8.5) 115 vs. Nuggets 108 (Under 219.5)
April 5 ? Nuggets (-6) 119 vs. Blazers 110 (Over 216)
Jan. 13 ? Nuggets (-4.5) 116 vs. Blazers 113 (Over 217)
Nov. 30 ? Nuggets (+1.5) 113 at Blazers 112 (Over 214)

It?s hard to believe the Trail Blazers could see their season end at home given all they?ve accomplished there just this postseason, having owned the Thunder and pulled off a four-overtime win in this very series. Their last result at Moda Center helped fumble back homecourt advantage to Denver, which is now poised to make its first conference finals appearance since 2009. It would be just the Nuggets? third trip since they arrived from the ABA in the late 1970?s and their first since 1985.

Damian Lillard has to find the range from beyond the arc to prevent the visitors from celebrating on his home floor. Lillard has shot under 40 percent over the past four games after a Game 1 effort that saw him score 39 points. He finished 4-for-12 from 3-point range in that opener, which has actually been his most effective shooting game from beyond in the arc in this series.

Lillard is shooting 33-for-84 since the opener, which includes a 7-for-30 (23.3 percent) showing from 3-point range. Despite this, he didn?t rule out a 50-point game when asked about the possibility the other night, responding ?with our season on the line and knowing we?ve got to have two games in a row, you never know.?

Teammate CJ McCollum has been terrific for most of the series but shot just 5-for-16, while the steady Al-Farouq Aminu missed seven of eight. Enes Kanter has been dealing with a shoulder issue suffered against the Thunder but has played through it and had been a major factor in at least making Denver All-Star center Nikola Jokic work, but he?s worn down over the last few contests, averaging just six points over the last two games. It will be interesting to see if Terry Stotts goes small at home if Kanter can?t get it going, especially since Game 5 saw them get so thoroughly dominated in the paint, where they were outscored 66-44 and outrebounded 62-44.

Jokic is making that ?Big Honey? nickname stick with his fabulous work in the series, averaging 26.4 points, 14.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the series. With Jamal Murray looking healthier after suffering an ankle injury and the two guys with the most playoff experience on the team, Paul Millsap and Will Barton, really stepping up, Denver has really imposed their will against the Blazers and never trailed in Game 5, winning every quarter until the fourth when the outcome had already been decided.

The Nuggets opened the series as a slight favorite (-145) over the Trail Blazers (+125) according to Westgate, but now would be the time to go all-in on the Blazers if you believe they?ve got a comeback in them since their series price is up at 3-to-1.

Lillard played in all four regular-season meetings against Denver, averaging 21.3 points but shooting just 37 percent from the field and 28.6 from 3-point range. He?s got to find a way to get going early and go on one of those scoring flurries that swung the Thunder series in Portland?s direction. Lillard shot 40 percent from 3-point range at home as opposed to 34 percent on the road during the regular season and despite scoring roughly the same amount of points per game, so if he?s going to snap out of his slump, tonight figures to be the night.

Portland has dropped 10 of 13 against Denver dating back to last season. The ?over? is 4-1 in the series and is 8-3 in the last 11 playoff games involving Denver. The high side is on a 5-1 run in Blazers? games.

The total for Game 6 opened at 215 and that number has held steady as of Thursday morning. Totals expert Chris David weighs in on tonight?s matchup.

?Of the four conference semifinal matchups, this has been the best ?over? series among them as the high side has gone 4-1 in the first five games. The books have tinkered with the totals a little bit and Thursday?s number is up a couple points from both Game 4 (211) and 5 (213),? said David. ?During the regular season, Denver watched the ?under? go 25-16 (61%) away from home but that trend has been tossed out the window in the playoffs. The ?over? has connected in all five road games for the Nuggets and we?ve seen an average combined score of 234.8 points per game. That number was certainly helped with the 140-137 overtime matchup in Game 3 of this series, but even if you take out that result, you?re looking at 224.3 PPG average.

?Knowing the Nuggets haven?t won a playoff series on the road since 1994, it could have you hesitating to back the visitor here. And, if you?re leaning Portland than you?re expecting an offensive surge especially after being held to 98 in Game 5. My lean would be to the latter and I believe the Trail Blazers Team Total (109 ?) is a solid look.?

 

[Cnotes53]

THURSDAY, MAY 9
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

TOR at PHI 08:00 PM
TOR -2.0
U 212.5

DEN at POR 10:30 PM
DEN +3.5
O 215.5

 

[Cnotes53]

76ers rout Raptors to force Game 7
May 9, 2019
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PHILADELPHIA (AP) Jimmy Butler lived up to his Jimmy Buckets nickname.

With ''Jimmy! Butler!'' chants ringing from the rafters, he helped Philadelphia force a seventh game against Toronto in the Eastern Conference semifinals, hitting big baskets in bunches and scoring 25 points in the 76ers' 112-101 victory over the Raptors on Thursday night.

''I play to win,'' Butler said. ''Right now, this is what I have to do in order to give us a great chance at winning.''

Game 7 is Sunday night in Toronto. The Milwaukee Bucks await the winner.

Kawhi Leonard, who scored 30-plus points in the first four games in the series, was finally tied up early by the Sixers and hit 29 points well after the game was out of hand.

Leonard and the Raptors had no answers for Butler and All-Star guard Ben Simmons. Simmons broke through and scored 21 points - more than his combined total of Games 4 and 5 - and helped show the Sixers still had some fight after a brutal Game 5 loss.

''It was amazing focus. Everybody was locked in,'' Simmons said. ''We knew what was at stake.''

Joel Embiid had played through a bad left knee and a stomach bug for most of the playoffs and the entire team had reason to be ill after the Raptors crushed the Sixers by 36 in Game 5.

''I knew I had to come in with high spirits,'' Embiid said. ''If I've got to play 45 minutes and push myself out there, that's what I'll do.''

Embiid had a burst of energy late in the third when he blocked a driving Leonard, and Simmons capitalized with a basket for an 18-point cushion. Embiid, who gingerly walked into the postgame press conference with his left knee packaged in ice, had 17 points and 12 rebounds in 35 minutes.

Embiid didn't do much early in Game 6, but Butler and Simmons built some needed separation.

Butler about did it all, and showed in the first half why the free agent will command a max contract - $188 million over five years - in the offseason.

Butler, disgruntled in Minnesota before he was traded to Philadelphia in November, scored 19 points in the half and all of them seemed worthy of the highlight reel. He took a bit of a trick shot when he rebounded his own missed jumper and was fouled by Kyle Lowry on an off-balance attempt. The basket was good and so was the free throw. Butler stole the ball from Leonard and capped the half with a fast-break dunk for a 58-43 lead.

''Game is simple. I shoot the ball when I'm open,'' Butler said. ''Sometimes I shoot it when I'm not open.''

He forced his way open in the first half, making 9 of 15 shots in the first and he gave the Sixers the confidence they needed to know another game wasn't going to turn into a rout.

''He was all over that game,'' coach Brett Brown said. ''The mood in the locker room, you could sense the serious side. They got the moment and I think he got it as much as anybody and led us.''

Simmons was called out by Butler about the need to attack the basket and play more off screens to become the triple-double threat he was in the regular season and not the non-factor he was against the Raptors. Simmons did it all early (eight points, five assists in the first quarter) and the Sixers got the outside shots to fall - an early domination that happened even as Embiid was held scoreless until he hit a 3 early in the second quarter.

Simmons had no turnovers and six assists in 34 minutes.

''What he did today was lot of the reasons he was an NBA All-Star at age 22,'' Brown said.

TIP-INS

Raptors: Missed 14 of 17 3s in the first half. ... Scored four fast-break points in the first half.

76ers: Hall of Famer Julius Erving had a lengthy courtside pregame chat with Simmons. ... The Sixers borrowed a page from the Eagles' Super Bowl run and had Chris Long and Lane Johnson ring the ceremonial Liberty Bell. Long and Johnson wore their dog masks used when they embraced the underdog theme in the 2018 postseason.

EMBIID EFFECT

There was one cause for concern late in the fourth when Embiid was whistled for a flagrant 1 foul when hit Marc Gasol in the face and now faces a one-game suspension if he earns another in the playoffs. Embiid, playing in garbage time because he has no reliable backup, has three flagrant fouls in the postseason.

''It's annoying. It's stupid,'' Embiid said. ''I saw the video of it. It doesn't look that bad. I guess I've got one more and I'm gone for one game so I've got to look out for it.''

Embiid missed the entirety of Toronto's 12-0 run that cut a 19-point lead to seven and had fans booing as the All-Star big man took a breather. Embiid couldn't afford to rest, backup Boban Marjanovic checked in at minus-15 in just 4 1/2 minutes of playing time in the half.

LONG TIME COMING

The Sixers and Raptors are playing each other in Game 7 for the first time since Philadelphia won the 2001 East semifinal. Lowry, who scored 13 points, knows he'll have to contribute more to get the Raptors to their first conference final since 2016.

''I think I could have pushed a little bit more, tried to get in the paint a little more,'' Lowry said.

UP NEXT

Game 7 is Sunday night in Toronto. The Raptors are 2-1 at home in the series.

''It's not unlike where we've been a couple of times already this series,'' Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.

 

[Cnotes53]

Trail Blazers beat Nuggets 119-108, force series to Game 7
May 10, 2019
By The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Damian Lillard had 32 points, including 17 in the third quarter, and the Portland Trail Blazers staved off elimination to force a decisive Game 7 in their series with Denver with a 119-108 victory on Thursday night.

The Nuggets head home with a chance to make it to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2009. Denver has been to the conference finals three times in franchise history.

The winner of Sunday's game will face the winner of the series between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. The defending NBA champion Warriors have a 3-2 advantage in the series after a 104-99 victory on Wednesday night. Game 6 is set for Friday in Houston.

CJ McCollum added 30 points for the Blazers, who haven't advanced to the conference finals since the 2000 playoffs. Rodney Hood came off the bench with a career playoff-high 25 points and fans at the Moda Center drowned out his postgame on-court interview by chanting ''Rodney! Rodney!''

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Jamal Murray added 24 points and 10 rebounds.

76ERS 112, RAPTORS 101

HILADELPHIA (AP) - Jimmy Butler lived up to his Jimmy Buckets nickname to help Philadelphia force a seventh game against Toronto in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Game 7 is Sunday night in Toronto. The Milwaukee Bucks await the winner.

Butler hit baskets in bunches and finished with 25 points. Joel Embiid, who had played through a bad left knee and a stomach bug for most of the playoffs, had 17 points and 12 rebounds in 35 minutes, while Ben Simmons added 21 points.

Kawhi Leonard, who scored 30-plus points in the first four games in the series, was tied up early by the Sixers and scored 29 points well after the game was out of hand.

 

[Cnotes53]

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY MAY 10, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
3:00 PM Milwaukee Bucks Boston Celtics TD Garden
9:00 PM Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Toyota Center

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
3:00 PM Portland Trail Blazers Denver Nuggets Pepsi Center
3:35 PM Houston Rockets Golden State Warriors ORACLE Arena
7:00 PM Philadelphia 76ers Toronto Raptors Scotiabank Arena


*****************************


NBA PLAYOFF RECORD OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

05/09/2019 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50
05/08/2019 2-2-0 50.00% -1.00
05/07/2019 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50
05/06/2019 1-2-1 33.33% -6.00
05/05/2019 2-2-0 50.00% -1.00
05/04/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/03/2019 1-3-0 25.00% -11.00
05/02/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/01/2019 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50

Totals..............13-16-1 44.82% -23.50


******************************


BEST BETS:

DATE........................ATS................... ..UNITS..................O/U..................UNITS.............TOTALS

05/09/2019.............0 - 2....................-11.00...................1 - 1...................-0.50............-11.50
05/08/2019.............1 - 1....................-0.50.....................1 - 1...................-0.50.............-1.00
05/07/2019.............0 - 2....................-11.00...................1 - 1...................-0.50.............-11.50
05/06/2019.............0 - 2....................-11.00...................1 - 0..................+5.00.............-6.00
05/05/2019.............1 - 1....................-0.50.....................1 - 1..................-0.50..............-1.00
05/04/2019.............1 - 0....................+5.00....................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+10.00
05/03/2019.............0 - 2....................-11.00...................1 - 1..................-0.50..............-11.50
05/02/2019.............1 - 0....................+5.00....................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+10.00
05/01/2019.............0 - 1.....................-5.50....................1 - 0.................+5.00..............-0.50


Totals...................4 - 11.....................-40.50...................9 - 5.................+17.50.............-23.00


**************************

APRILS NBA BEST BETS


Totals....................23 - 21..................-0.50.................25 - 27................-19.50..............-20.00

 

[Cnotes53]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

? Iona College is getting $6M in renovations to its basketball arena.

? Hard to believe, but Washington is 1-7 this season when Max Scherzer starts.

? Mariners started the season 13-2, are now 20-20.

? Arizona Cardinals signed QB Kyler Murray to a 4-year, $35M deal.

? Have they announced which NFL team is going to be on Hard Knocks this summer?

? RIP Jim Fowler, 89, Marlon Perkins? sidekick on Wild Kingdom, the old TV show about animals all over the world.


**********

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

13) Albert Pujols got his 2,000th career RBI when he homered Thursday in Detroit. 1,029 of his 2,000 RBI have come via home runs.

A 33-year old law student caught Pujols? historic home run, but refused four offers to sell the keepsake baseball back to Pujols? both the Tigers/Angels made multiple offers to the guy.

?I don?t want money. I don?t care.? Alrighty then.

12) Pretty fitting that Billy Joel spent his 70th birthday doing a concert in Madison Square Garden; that must?ve been a great night.

Long time ago, back in the 90?s sometime, Billy Joel booked a couple of concerts here in Albany- they sold out in about a half hour. They added a couple more dates- they sold out, too. Don?t remember the exact number, but pretty sure he wound up with 8-10 concerts here that month, all sellouts. I went to one of them, just a terrific show.

11) Every baseball telecast should announce which umpires are in the replay center in New York City. Gary Cohen does it sometimes on Met games; never heard anyone else do it.

10) South Carolina appears ready to offer $120M in tax breaks to the Carolina Panthers to move their practice fields and team headquarters out of North Carolina, and into the Palmetto State.

Rock Hill, SC is only 15 miles from Charlotte, which is what makes all this feasible.

Must be nice to be rich; people line up to give you even more money.

9) Westgate SuperBook took 46 bets on Tony Romo to win the Byron Nelson at 10,000/1; he shot a 5-over par 76 in the first round Thursday, even with an eagle on one hole.

8) 76ers 112, Raptors 101? Game 7 is in Toronto Sunday.

Trailblazers 119, Nuggets 108? Game 7 is in Denver Sunday.

7) Baseball injuries:
? Giants put C Buster Posey on 7-day concussion list.
? Mets put P Steven Matz on the IL.

6) Watching Rangers-Astros game, being played in a dome, but there are open spaces in the walls in left-center field and it was pouring rain in Houston, so when they showed pitches from the centerfield camera, you could see a steady downpour of rain that wasn?t coming down on the field, but some of the fans were getting drenched.

5) Wednesday night, Orioles lost a tough 2-1 game in 12 innings to Boston; saw something in the boxscore that I don?t think I?ve seen before.

Baltimore hitters struck out 22 times, with zero walks. Thats really terrible.

Jackie Bradley Jr made an amazing catch to rob Mancini of a homer that would?ve ended the game. Tremendous catch.

4) Doug Eddings has umpired home plate in seven games this season; the underdog won all seven games.

3) Minnesota Twins? new replay coordinator Nate Dammann spent the last 12 years as one of their bullpen catchers, an interesting change/upgrade in career.

2) Astros 4, Rangers 2? Hunter Pence has 17 RBI in his last nine games for Texas.

1) NFL recently cut $20M from the NFL Network budget less than two years from a potential work stoppage, which may be a bad omen for the 2021 season taking place.

 

[Cnotes53]