Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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10-25-16 | Jazz v. Blazers -5.5 | Top | 104-113 | Win | 100 | 19 h 17 m | Show |
The set-up: The Jazz were 40-42 last season, falling one victory short of a Western Conference postseason spot. Meanwhile, the Blazers, despite losing four of five starters from the previous year’s team, went 44-38. Portland then fell behind the LA Clippers 2-0 in its opening round series, only to rebound and win four games in a row over an LA devastated by injures to first Blake Griffin and then Chris Paul. Portland’s season ended when it was eliminated by the Warriors in five games. The team’s open the 2016-17 season tonight in Portland at the Moda Center (I miss the Rose Garden). Utah: After finishing ninth in the West last season, the Jazz made three veteran offseason acquisitions, PG George Hill, swingman Joe Johnson and all-purpose forward Boris Diaw, to a young nucleus that includes front-liners Gordon Hayward (19.7-5.0-3.7), Derrick Favors (16.4-8.1) and Rudy Gobert (9.1-11.0). However, the team’s best player (Hayward), will miss the game with a broken left ring finger plus Favors and reserve guard Alec Burks will likely miss the game with knee issues. That means Diaw and Johnson will likely team with Gobert on the front line in a Utah starting lineup that will include Hill and Hood (14.5 PPG) in the backcourt. Portland: Damian Lillard had his best season in 2015-16, joining James, Curry and Westbrook as the only players to place among the league's top 10 in scoring (25.1, sixth) and assists (6.8, eighth) during the regular season. "I want to get to the Western Conference finals and give ourselves a chance to get to the (NBA) Finals," said Lillard, who is joined in the backcourt by C.J. McCollum (20.8 PPG & 4.2 APG). That duo led Portland to revamp quickly last season after losing mainstay LaMarcus Aldridge as a free agent. Al-Farouq Aminu (10.2 & 6.1) and Maurice Harkless (6.4 & 3.6) will open the season as the starting forwards with Mason Plumlee (9.1 & 7.7) back as the center. The pick: The Jazz are missing too many key ‘pieces’ in the opener to deal with Lillard and McCollum, who combined for 426 three-pointers last season (Lillard ranked fourth in the NBA with 229). Offseason additions such as swingman Evan Turner and center Festus Ezeli were brought in to fortify a bench that includes swingman Allen Crabbe (10.3) and forward/center Meyers Leonard (8.4 & 5.1). The Blazers were 3-1 against the Jazz last season, losing only in a game Lillard say out. Portland has won eight of the past 11 meetings with Utah and let’s make that nine of 12 with a cover in tonight’s opener. Portland is an 8* play. |
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06-19-16 | Cavs +4.5 v. Warriors | Top | 93-89 | Win | 100 | 53 h 13 m | Show |
The Cavs will try to be the first team ever to come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals, but the bookmakers still say they are an underdog. They've owned the Warriors in the last two games, and they appear to come into Game 7 as the team with destiny on it's side. My money is on the Cavs plus the points. Selection: This is a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers 1st Half (10*) |
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06-16-16 | Warriors v. Cavs -2 | Top | 101-115 | Win | 100 | 33 h 25 m | Show |
The Golden State Warriors failed to close out the Cavs in Game 5 at Oracle Arena, and now they have to go back to Cleveland and try to win on the road. The Cavs have been dominant at home throughout the playoffs, and they come into Game 6 with all the momentum after a commanding victory in Oakland. My money is on Cleveland to win the 1st Half. |
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06-13-16 | Cavs +7 v. Warriors | Top | 112-97 | Win | 100 | 45 h 56 m | Show |
The Warriors will try to clinch their second straight championship in Game 5 at Oracle Arena on Monday, but they'll have to do it without Draymond Green. If the Cavs hope to avoid elimination, a fast start is an absolute must. The Warriors are not a great first half team at the best of times, and without one of their best players, it could take some time to make the necessary adjustments. |
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06-10-16 | Warriors v. Cavs -1.5 | Top | 108-97 | Loss | -110 | 20 h 47 m | Show |
The Cavs showed almost no signs of life in back-to-back blowout losses at Golden State, but the NBA Finals got interesting when Cleveland came back to win 120-90 in Game 3. All the momentum is now with the Cavs heading into Game 4, and I expect the Warriors to struggle once again at Quicken Loans Arena. Selection: This is a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers 1st Half (10*) |
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06-08-16 | Warriors v. Cavs | Top | 90-120 | Win | 100 | 45 h 34 m | Show |
The Golden State Warriors have a firm grip of the NBA Championship 2016 after a pair of blowout wins home at Oracle Arena. I think they'll be in for a much tougher game as the series shifts to Quicken Loans Arena though, and the Cavs need to take an early lead and never look back. Here are my keys to the game: 1. Situational - The Cavs need to make a statement and come roaring out of the gates after getting humiliated in Oakland. The fans will demand it, Tyronn Lue will demand it and and the King will demand it. "It's a do or die game for us," said Lebron James at Tuesday's press conference at Quicken Loans Arena. 2. Home Cookin' - The Cavaliers can not afford to disappoint the home town crowd tonight, and they've had plenty to cheer for in Cleveland with the Cavs winning and covering the spread in six consecutive home games. "We feed off each other. We've been great at home," said Cavs forward Tristan Thompson. "We're excited." 3. X-Factor - The Warriors have lost each of their Game 3's in previous series here in the playoffs. Selection: This is a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers 1st Half (10*) |
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06-05-16 | Cavs v. Warriors -6.5 | Top | 77-110 | Win | 100 | 45 h 5 m | Show |
The Cavaliers looked totally out-classed in Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oakland. They scored just 43 points in the first half, and went on to lose 104-89. Perhaps the biggest concern for the Cavs is that Steph Curry and Klay Thompson scored a combined 20 points, and the Warriors role players badly out-played Cleveland's starting five. After watching the Cavs shoot 38.1 percent from the field in Game 1, I don't think much will change in Game 2. Selection: This is a play on the Golden State Warriors first half (10*) |