Cnotes 2016 NBA Best Bets-Trends-News-Stats !

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel


Tuesday, October 25


San Antonio @ Golden State


Game 505-506
October 25, 2016 @ 10:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
126.350
Golden State
132.510
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 6
218
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 9 1/2
212 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(+9 1/2); Over


Utah @ Portland


Game 503-504
October 25, 2016 @ 10:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Utah
118.961
Portland
129.723
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Portland
by 11
188
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 5 1/2
193 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(-5 1/2); Under


New York @ Cleveland


Game 501-502
October 25, 2016 @ 7:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
New York
113.601
Cleveland
136.929
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 23 1/2
212
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 9
204 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-9); Over








NBA
Long Sheet


Tuesday, October 25


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

NEW YORK (32 - 50) at CLEVELAND (73 - 30) - 10/25/2016, 7:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 5-2 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 6-1 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
7 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

UTAH (40 - 42) at PORTLAND (49 - 44) - 10/25/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 70-102 ATS (-42.2 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 4-4 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 5-3 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

SAN ANTONIO (73 - 19) at GOLDEN STATE (88 - 18) - 10/25/2016, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 115-87 ATS (+19.3 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 105-78 ATS (+19.2 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 62-42 ATS (+15.8 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 954-833 ATS (+37.7 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 144-100 ATS (+34.0 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 4-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 4-3 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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








NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up


Tuesday, October 25


Not much to go on for 7-10 days, but we’ll share the info we have.


Tuesday’s games
Cavaliers are getting their rings while the Indians open the World Series nearby at the same time. Knicks lost their last six games with Cleveland but covered five of last seven series games, including their last four visits here. Last seven series games stayed under the total.


Portland won three of its last four games with Utah; over is 7-2 in last nine series games. Jazz lost four of last five visits here (3-2 vs spread).


Warriors won four of last six games with San Antonio; under is 7-2 in last nine series games. Home side won five of last six series games; Spurs lost their last three visits to Oakland, by 11-30-11 points.







NBA


Tuesday, October 25


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


7:30 PM
NEW YORK vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New York's last 9 games on the road
New York is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing New York


10:00 PM
UTAH vs. PORTLAND
Utah is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Portland
Utah is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing Portland
Portland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games when playing Utah


10:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. GOLDEN STATE
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Antonio's last 9 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Golden State's last 9 games
Golden State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

 

[CNOTES]

NBA betting road map: Opening week can be very profitable in certain situations


The Golden State Warriors made the biggest free agent signing of this year (and, perhaps, any year) when they inked Kevin Durant to a 2-year contract.


It seems like just yesterday that the Cleveland Cavaliers were hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy as 2015-16 NBA Champions, but here we are with another season tipping off this week. Al McMordie, with the first edition of his weekly betting roadmap series, focuses on the league's top three title contenders.


Spread Watch


The Golden State Warriors made the biggest free agent signing of this year (and, perhaps, any year) when they inked Kevin Durant to a 2-year contract (with a player option after the first year). Golden State has now compiled the best team in NBA history, as it has two of the top four, and four of the top 14 players in the entire league. Last season, Durant, Steph Curry and Draymond Green all ranked within the eight best players in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus. Klay Thompson, though not in the top eight, was 3rd Team All-NBA last year, and had an 18.67 PER.


And if that weren't daunting enough for the rest of the league, then consider that all four of the Warriors' superstars are in the prime of their careers. It's not unreasonable to think the Warriors will win the NBA Championship each of the next five years. And I personally believe they will go 16-0 in this year's Playoffs (the Warriors, at -130 odds to win the Title is a fantastic bet). Of course, for our individual game betting purposes, the Warriors are likely to be over-valued early in the season. Indeed, they went 6-1 in the Preseason, but were just 1-4-2 ATS.


This week, the Warriors will open the season at home vs. the Spurs (and have been installed as an 8.5-point favorite), and then finish the week with road games at New Orleans and Phoenix. Of the three games, I feel the middle game against the Pelicans will be the best opportunity to play on Golden State. They will have had two days off following their season-opener, and the Warriors are 54-21 SU and 48-26-1 ATS when playing with at least two days of rest. Additionally, Golden State won and covered all three games vs. New Orleans last season, and are 26-8-1 ATS the last 35 regular season meetings vs. New Orleans!


Total Watch


The Tom Thibodeau-era is underway in Minnesota - and make no mistake about it - he will transform the Timberwolves into one of the league's best defensive teams (just as he did with the Chicago Bulls, after taking over for Vinny Del Negro). In his first regular season with the Bulls they went 'under' the total 48-34, and most of the profit was made early in the season, as 21 of the Bulls' first 31 games in 2010 went 'under' the total.


Don't be surprised if the Timberwolves have a similar experience this season. In the Preseason, Minnesota went 'under' in six of its seven games (including each of the last six).


This week, the T-Wolves will play road games at Memphis and Sacramento, and each of those games is a solid candidate to be low-scoring. Last season, Memphis ranked in the bottom 10 in offense, and top 10 in defense. Meanwhile, all four of the Minnesota/Sacramento games last season went 'under' the total.


Injury Watch


The San Antonio Spurs will be without SG Danny Green for the first 10 games of the season, as he suffered a strained quadriceps injury last week. Though Green shot 10% below his career average last season (30.1% from long distance), he improved greatly in the playoffs (24-for-48, 50%). And he had surgery to correct a vision impairment issue in the off-season.


Notwithstanding his shooting woes last year, Green is an invaluable defender (perhaps the league's best in transition defense), and ranked No. 1 among shooting guards last season in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus defensive rating. So, he will be sorely missed the next few weeks.


The Spurs won a franchise-best 67 games last season, and had one of the best defensive seasons in NBA history, but should drop off significantly this year. Besides being without Green early on, the Spurs suffered major losses on their frontline. Defensive stalwart Tim Duncan retired, Boris Diaw was traded to Utah, and free agents David West and Boban Marjanovic signed with Golden State and Detroit, respectively.


This week, the Spurs will be challenged with four games in six days, including a road game at Golden State on Tuesday, and a road game at Miami on Sunday, when the Spurs will be playing without rest vs. a rested Heat squad. Last season, the Spurs went 2-6 ATS their last eight games when playing without rest vs. a rested foe, so the game at Miami could prove to be difficult.


Schedule Watch


This Tuesday will be an historic day in Cleveland. Not only will the Indians be playing in the World Series for the first time since 1997 (the first time ever that Game 1 of the World Series will be played in Cleveland), but the Cavaliers will open their season at home vs. New York, raise their championship banner, and accept their rings.


A lot of bettors like to go against the defending NBA Champion on its Banner Night, but that situation has been a 50-50 proposition over the years (NBA Champs are 13-12 ATS since 1991). Instead, I prefer to fade such teams on the road in their second game, and especially if they're matched up against an opponent that isn't off a straight-up loss, as the champs are 1-8 ATS in that situation since 1991. And that very well could be the case on Friday, when the Cavaliers will travel to Toronto (check Toronto's result vs. Detroit on Wednesday).


Even better: The Raptors will be playing with revenge from a 4-2 series loss last year in the Eastern Conference Finals.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA opening night betting cheat sheet and odds: Tuesday tripleheader


Kevin Durant joins fellow NBA MVP Stephen Curry and All-Stars Draymond Green and Klay Thompson in an offense that led the NBA in scoring last season.


The 2016-17 NBA season tips off Tuesday night with a trio of very interesting and entertaining games highlighted by banner night in Cleveland and the classic Western Conference clash between the San Antionio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors.


New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers (-9.5, 204)


No team in the Eastern Conference added more big names in the offseason than the New York Knicks, but all the newcomers bring long injury histories and big question marks. The Knicks are one of several teams fighting for second place in the East behind the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, who will receive their championship rings in a pregame ceremony before hosting New York in the season opener on Tuesday.


The Knicks signed former Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah and point guard Derrick Rose and brought in Brandon Jennings and Courtney Lee to join Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis in new coach Jeff Hornacek's system. "I think we're definitely a work in progress," Noah told reporters. "We have a lot of work to do. We got to get better. We haven't had a lot of time to play together." The Cavaliers are very familiar with each other and brought back all the main pieces from last season's championship run and will be hosting the game in a festive atmosphere with the first game of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs taking place across the street at the same time. LeBron James and company are heavy favorites to win the Eastern Conference for the third straight year and continue the city of Cleveland's recent run of good fortune -- the NFL's Browns excepted.


TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT


LINE HISTORY: The Cavaliers opened as 9.5-point home favorites and the line has not waivered since being released. The total opened at 203, spiked immediately to 204.5, topped out at 205, and settled back down to the current number of 204. View complete line history here.


ABOUT THE KNICKS (2015-16: 32-50): Rose played in 66 games for the Bulls last season - his highest total since playing in 81 games in the 2010-11 campaign - but missed two weeks of training camp and played in only one preseason game while taking time off to be in court for a civil trial related to an alleged sexual assault. The former MVP, still just 28 years old and cleared of all charges stemming from the trial, averaged 16.4 points and 4.7 assists while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor last season and will be charged with running Hornacek's offense. New York ran Phil Jackson's preferred triangle offense exclusively under Derek Fisher and Kurt Rambis last season, but Hornacek is incorporating other philosophies into the attack.


ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (2015-16: 57-25): Cleveland overcame a 3-1 deficit in the finals to beat the Golden State Warriors last June, and coach Tyronn Lue is intent on limiting the wear and tear on James after the superstar made his sixth consecutive trip to the finals. James averaged 35.6 minutes during the 2015-16 regular season and bumped that number up to 39.1 during the postseason, and Lue expects those regular-season minutes to drop. “He understands that we want to keep his minutes down, and when there’s games where it makes sense to take off, we’re going to take those games off," Lue told reporters. "We’re being smart about the situation. We have one goal in mind, and that’s winning a championship."


TRENDS:


* Knicks are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games.
* Cavaliers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 home games.
* Under is 4-0 in Knicks last 4 vs. NBA Central.
* Under is 7-0 in the last 7 meetings.






Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers (-5.5, 193.5)


Damian Lillard has set a lofty goal for the 2016-17 season and will start chasing his public declaration when the Portland Trail Blazers open the season against the visiting Utah Jazz on Tuesday. The star guard vows his intention is to win MVP honors this season, a feat that would require the Trail Blazers to significantly improve on last season's 44-38 record.


Lillard was superb last season when he ranked sixth in the NBA with a 25.1 scoring average and tied for eighth in assists at 6.8 and he expects to take another step upward. "I want to win MVP," Lillard told reporters. "If we come out and do the things we're capable of doing and we win games, then that means my performance will be at a level of MVP." Utah fell one victory short of a Western Conference postseason spot last season and will be without small forward Gordon Hayward (broken finger) and backup guard Alec Burks (knee) at the outset of the season, while power forward Derrick Favors (knee) is questionable for the opener. "It's tough because we don't have a full roster right now," new point guard George Hill told reporters. "And without a full roster, it's kind of hard to see exactly where we're at. Our focus right now is to get everyone healthy, but with the guys we have in there, I think we're moving in the right direction."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Utah), KGW (Portland)


LINE HISTORY: The Blazers hit the betting board as 6-point home favorites for their season opener against the Utah Jazz but on Monday that point spread was dropped down slightly to -5.5. The total opened at 193 and was bumped up a half point to 193.5. View complete line history here.


ABOUT THE JAZZ (2015-16: 40-42): Utah acquired Hill from the Indiana Pacers to strengthen a lackluster point guard situation, added veteran swingman Joe Johnson as a free agent and acquired veteran forward Boris Diaw from the San Antonio Spurs. Shot-blocking force Rudy Gobert (averages of 11 rebounds and 2.2 blocks last season) is back at center and shooting guard Rodney Hood (14.5 points) is expected to take another step forward but the team badly needs Hayward (19.7 points) and Favors (16.4 points, 8.1 rebounds) in the lineup. "You lose two of your best players -- obviously you want to have them on the court ready to go and everybody healthy," Hood told reporters. "We've got guys that are going to compete. We've got to see what happens. Hopefully we get those guys back quicker than we expect."


ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (2015-16: 44-38): Lillard and backcourt mate C.J. McCollum (20.8 points, 4.3 assists) fuel a team that revamped quickly last season after losing longtime mainstay LaMarcus Aldridge as a free agent. Offseason additions such as swingman Evan Turner and center Festus Ezeli were pinpointed to fortify a bench that includes swingman Allen Crabbe and forward/center Meyers Leonard. Al-Farouq Aminu (10.2 points) and Maurice Harkless (6.4 points) will open the season as the starting forwards with Mason Plumlee (9.1 points, 7.7 rebounds) back as the center.


TRENDS:


* Jazz are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
* Trail Blazers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Northwest.
* Under is 7-2-1 in Jazz last 10 road games.
* Over is 6-1 in Trail Blazers last 7 overall.
* Over is 13-3 in the last 16 meetings in Portland.






San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors (-9, 212.5)


The Golden State Warriors set an NBA record with 73 wins in the regular season last year but could not finish it off with a second straight NBA championship, prompting the club to add the best free agent on the market over the summer. Kevin Durant will make his regular-season debut with the Warriors when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.


Durant joins fellow NBA MVP Stephen Curry and All-Stars Draymond Green and Klay Thompson in an offense that led the NBA in scoring last season, and the four thrived in brief spurts on the floor together in the preseason. “All in all, things are coming together,” coach Steve Kerr, tempering expectations, told reporters. “We’re not there yet, but we probably shouldn’t be there yet because we’re only a few weeks into this thing.” The Spurs were Golden State's closest challengers in the Western Conference during the 2015-16 regular season but fell in the conference semifinals and lost future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan to retirement after the playoffs. San Antonio filled that empty spot in the frontcourt with 36-year-old Pau Gasol and 33-year-old former Warrior David Lee.


TV: 10:30 p.m. TNT


LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened as 8-point home favorites for their much-anticipated 2016-17 debut. As we should expect for most of their games this season, the public is betting the Dubs and the books are having to move the line higher - Golden State is currently at -9. The total opened at 212, went up to 212.5, and has come back down to 211.5. View complete line history here.


ABOUT THE SPURS (2015-16: 67-15): San Antonio spent the last week fighting off rumors that All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge was unhappy with his role on the team behind breakout star forward Kawhi Leonard. "I'm winning. Of course I'm happy," Aldridge said on the Jim Rome radio show. "That's why I don't buy into the rumors. I feel like I do my job here and I feel like I've done everything that they've asked. That's why I haven't bought into the rumors." Leonard finished second to Curry in the MVP voting last season and is expected to help fill the leadership void left by the departure of Duncan.


ABOUT THE WARRIORS (2015-16: 73-9): Golden State's five-man unit of Curry, Thompson, Green, Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes was the most efficient in the league last season and will now upgrade from Barnes to Durant. The move to the Warriors came with some criticism for Durant, though he and his new teammates insist they are shielding the outside noise. “Some people say we're villains," Green told reporters. "I don't think we're really going into it saying we're villains, we need to do this. Who cares? It's like, it really doesn't matter what people try to make you play. It's about getting on the court, getting between these lines and performing."


TRENDS:


* Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
* Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
* Under is 5-1 in Spurs last 6 vs. NBA Pacific.
* Under is 4-0-1 in Warriors last 5 home games.
* Favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Short Sheet


Tuesday, October 25


New York at Cleveland, 7:30 PM ET
New York: 5-7 ATS as a road underdog of 9.5 to 12 points
Cleveland: 51-44 ATS as a home favorite


Utah at Portland, 10:05 PM ET
Utah: 30-32 ATS as a road underdog
Portland: 17-9 ATS in a home game where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points


San Antonio at Golden State, 10:30 PM ET
San Antonio: 22-10 UNDER in road games first half of the season
Golden State: 17-6 ATS against Southwest division opponents

 

[indiana]

C/note..........BOL with your action tonight and a profitable season..........indy

 

[CNOTES]

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


NY at CLE 07:30 PM

NY +9.5


U 206.0 *****


UTA at POR 10:00 PM


POR -6.5 *****


O 192.5


SA at GS 10:30 PM

GS -8.5 *****


U 211.5 *****

 

[bostoncapper14]

GL tonight! :toast:

 

[CNOTES]

NBA Capsules
October 26, 2016


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 35 points and the San Antonio Spurs emphatically spoiled Kevin Durant's long-awaited Warriors debut Tuesday with a 129-100 rout that sent Golden State fans for the exits early on opening night.


Durant had 27 points and 10 rebounds, but little looked in sync for MVP Stephen Curry and the reigning Western Conference champions in a forgettable first game - and quite a different one after the Warriors dominated at home and came out of the blocks last season with a record 24-0 start.


Leonard scored 31 points by the end of the third, LaMarcus Aldridge added 26 points and 14 rebounds and Gregg Popovich thoroughly outdid a couple of his close friends on the opposite bench in reigning NBA Coach of the Year Steve Kerr and top assistant Mike Brown.


Curry, last season's first unanimous MVP, scored 26 points but was just 3 for 10 from 3-point range. Draymond Green had 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Klay Thompson was limited to 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting.

CAVALIERS 117, KNICKS 88


CLEVELAND (AP) - LeBron James had his 43rd career triple-double, Kyrie Irving scored 29 points and Cleveland, after raising its championship banner before the game, beat New York in the NBA season opener.


James scored 19 points and added 11 rebounds and 14 assists in front of a raucous home crowd that was on its feet from the pregame ceremony until late in the game, celebrating the city's first championship in 52 years.


James, who spoke to the crowd before the game, continued his perfect record on ring nights. He was 2-0 when the Miami Heat players were presented with their championship rings.


Irving scored 19 points in the third quarter, when Cleveland used a 20-4 run to take a 74-53 lead. Kevin Love scored 23 for the Cavaliers.


Carmelo Anthony led New York with 19 points and Derrick Rose had 17.


TRAIL BLAZERS 113, JAZZ 104


PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Damian Lillard scored 39 points and Portland extended its winning streak in home openers to a league-record 16 straight games with a victory over Utah.


CJ McCollum added 25 points for the Blazers, who trailed 83-77 at the start of the fourth quarter. They were still down 102-99 with under 5 minutes left before McCollum made a pull-up jumper and 3-pointer to give Portland a 104-102 lead.


Lillard made a pair of free throws before nailing a 3-pointer that put Portland up 109-102 with 1:02 left and the Jazz couldn't catch up.


Joe Johnson scored 29 points in his debut with the Jazz and Rodney Hood added 26, including a rim-rattling dunk in the third quarter.

 

[CNOTES]

Wednesday’s six-pack


NFL trends to ponder with Week 8 on the way…….


— Tennessee is 3-12 vs spread in its last 15 games.


— Oakland covered its last seven road games.


— Buffalo is 14-7-1 in its last 22 divisional games.


— Cowboys are 8-3 vs spread after their last 11 byes.


— Chargers covered nine of their last eleven games.


— New Orleans is 11-3-1 in its last 15 games as a dog.


Wednesday’s List of 13: Sports Illustrated ranks NBA players……


Before starting today, I have something that needs to be said.


New Jersey Giants are taking some heat for how they handled the Josh Brown situation; they may have made a mistake giving the guy a 2-year contract after his domestic violence issues, but they corrected that mistake and sent Brown on his way. No one is perfect; when mistakes are made, they need to be corrected and this one was.


The Giants used to have training camp here in Albany; I got to know some of their PR people and they couldn’t have been nicer to me. First class people all the way. My dad (a huge Giants fan) got sick one summer and the Giants gave him a football signed by the whole team. It meant a lot to him. It is still here in my living room, next to my football signed by Vince Ferragamo (ha!!!).


Last year, when my dad passed away, the Giants sent a bouquet of flowers to the wake. It was so kind, so unexpected, just a very nice/thoughtful thing to do. Nice people get scoffed at in today’s society; it is too damn bad.


Lot of people like to report negative things for whatever reason; the positive things that are done by people/teams get glossed over, because that is corny. Kicking people when they’re down is in vogue, but truth is, a hell of a lot more good is done than bad.


You can take this to the bank: the New Jersey Giants are good people. Top-shelf.


— Sports Illustrated’s Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney ranked the NBA’s top 100 players in SI’s NBA Preview issue, with random comments on various players……..here are some of those comments:
(last season’s rank is in parentheses)


100) Devin Booker, Suns (NR)— “Superstar ceiling, but was still a teenager when preseason opened!”


97) Manu Ginobili, Spurs (NR)— “Still a magician at 39. The oldest player on the list.”


91) Bismack Biyombo, Magic (NR)— “Magic paid him $72 million; 71 for his defense, one for his offense.”


78) Nikola Jokic, Nuggets (NR)— “The best young player you’ve (probably) never heard of.”


68) Kristaps Porzingis, Knicks (NR)— “The Big Apple’s most beloved is a lock to make a big jump next year.”


60) Luol Deng, Lakers (56)— “The only Laker to make the list, now that Kobe is retired.”


42) Serge Ibaka, Magic (25)— “Took a hit after a rough season that led to trade.”


25) Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers (23)— “This one incited fan outrage, but his defense was damaging.”


19) Klay Thompson, Warriors (26)— “That’s right; four Warriors in the top 20.”


12) DeMarcus Cousins, Kings (14)— “Top 10 talent; HR nightmare.”


4) Chris Paul, Clippers (6)— “Barely edged out Westbrook, thanks to defense shot selection, control.”


3) Stephen Curry, Warriors (4)— “Is the unanimous MVP underrated?”


1— Lebron James, Cavaliers (1)— “The King for the fourth straight year.”

 

[CNOTES]

NBA knowledge
Not much to go on for 7-10 days, but we’ll share the info we have.


Wednesday’s games


Miami won eight of last ten games with Orlando, covering four of last five; three of last four series games went over. Heat won four of last five visits to Orlando (3-2 vs spread).


Pacers won/covered their last four games with Dallas; four of last five series games went over total. Mavericks lost three of last four visits to Indiana (1-3 vs spread).


Celtics won four of last six games with Brooklyn (under 4-2). Nets lost three of last five visits to Beantown (2-3 vs spread).


Raptors won seven of last ten games with Detroit, but Pistons covered five of last six series games. Detroit lost four of last five visits to Toronto, but covered last three. Seven of last eight series games went over.


Hornets won eight of last ten games with Milwaukee, winning last four visits here, by 9-7-3-24 points. Four of last five series games stayed under the total.


Timberwolves lost three of last four visits to Memphis, but Minnesota is 6-2 vs spread in last eight series games, last five of which went over the total. Grizzlies are 6-4 in last ten series games.


Road team won five of last six New Orleans-Denver games; over is 6-3 in last nine series games. Nuggets won three of last four visits to Bourbon Street.


Thunder won their last ten games with Philly, but 76ers covered three of last four. No Ben Simmons for a while (ankle) for the Sixers. Six of last seven series games stayed under.


Kings won five of last six games with Phoenix (under 4-2). Sacramento won three of last four visits to the desert. Three of last four series games were decided by 20+ points.


Rockets won five in row, nine of last ten games with Lakers (9-1 vs spread); Houston won its last six games at the Lakers, with all six wins by 12+ points. Three of last four series games went over the total.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA


Wednesday, October 26


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


7:00 PM
MIAMI vs. ORLANDO
Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Miami is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Orlando is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Miami


7:00 PM
DALLAS vs. INDIANA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Dallas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing Dallas
Indiana is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas


7:30 PM
BROOKLYN vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games when playing Boston
Brooklyn is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Boston is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Boston's last 16 games at home


7:30 PM
DETROIT vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Detroit's last 15 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games at home
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home


8:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. PHILADELPHIA
Oklahoma City is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Oklahoma City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Oklahoma City


8:00 PM
DENVER vs. NEW ORLEANS
Denver is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Denver is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 21 of New Orleans's last 25 games at home
New Orleans is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games


8:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. MEMPHIS
Minnesota is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 7 games


8:00 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. MILWAUKEE
Charlotte is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Charlotte is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing Charlotte
Milwaukee is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing Charlotte


10:00 PM
SACRAMENTO vs. PHOENIX
Sacramento is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 6 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Sacramento
Phoenix is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Sacramento


10:30 PM
HOUSTON vs. LA LAKERS
Houston is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
LA Lakers are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games
LA Lakers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Houston

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel


Wednesday, October 26


Houston @ LA Lakers


Game 719-720
October 26, 2016 @ 10:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Houston
116.896
LA Lakers
113.498
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 3 1/2
227
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 6 1/2
223
Dunkel Pick:
LA Lakers
(+6 1/2); Over


Sacramento @ Phoenix


Game 717-718
October 26, 2016 @ 10:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
120.021
Phoenix
117.631
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Sacramento
by 2 1/2
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 2 1/2
212
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(+2 1/2); Over


Denver @ New Orleans


Game 715-716
October 26, 2016 @ 8:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Denver
108.093
New Orleans
116.656
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 8 1/2
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Orleans
by 2
207
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(-2); Under


Oklahoma City @ Philadelphia


Game 713-714
October 26, 2016 @ 8:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
128.091
Philadelphia
113.096
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 15
216
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 8
207
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(-8); Over


Charlotte @ Milwaukee


Game 711-712
October 26, 2016 @ 8:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
112.840
Milwaukee
120.409
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 7 1/2
186
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Charlotte
by 2
193
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(+2); Under


Minnesota @ Memphis


Game 709-710
October 26, 2016 @ 8:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
117.279
Memphis
113.249
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 4
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Memphis
by 2
199
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+2); Over


Brooklyn @ Boston


Game 707-708
October 26, 2016 @ 7:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Brooklyn
108.295
Boston
118.809
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 10 1/2
216
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 13 1/2
211 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Brooklyn
(+13 1/2); Over


Detroit @ Toronto


Game 705-706
October 26, 2016 @ 7:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
119.175
Toronto
123.283
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 4
190
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 7 1/2
195
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+7 1/2); Under


Dallas @ Indiana


Game 703-704
October 26, 2016 @ 7:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
116.519
Indiana
125.975
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 9 1/2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 6
206
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(-6); Over


Miami @ Orlando


Game 701-702
October 26, 2016 @ 7:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Miami
115.141
Orlando
125.452
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 10 1/2
197
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 4
200 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-4); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Long Sheet


Wednesday, October 26


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


MIAMI (55 - 41) at ORLANDO (35 - 47) - 10/26/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 5-2 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 6-2 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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


DALLAS (43 - 44) at INDIANA (48 - 41) - 10/26/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 152-117 ATS (+23.3 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
DALLAS is 348-281 ATS (+38.9 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 464-384 ATS (+41.6 Units) in road games since 1996.
DALLAS is 148-111 ATS (+25.9 Units) in road games first half of the season since 1996.
DALLAS is 158-122 ATS (+23.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 4-0 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 4-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

DETROIT (44 - 42) at TORONTO (66 - 36) - 10/26/2016, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 5-2 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 4-3 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

BROOKLYN (21 - 61) at BOSTON (50 - 38) - 10/26/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-3 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-3 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

MINNESOTA (29 - 53) at MEMPHIS (42 - 44) - 10/26/2016, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-2 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 4-3 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

CHARLOTTE (51 - 38) at MILWAUKEE (33 - 49) - 10/26/2016, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 4-3 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 5-2 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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


OKLAHOMA CITY (66 - 34) at PHILADELPHIA (10 - 72) - 10/26/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) against Northwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 21-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 30-51 ATS (-26.1 Units) as a home underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 102-138 ATS (-49.8 Units) in home games first half of the season since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 3-1 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

DENVER (33 - 49) at NEW ORLEANS (30 - 52) - 10/26/2016, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 4-3 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 4-3 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

SACRAMENTO (33 - 49) at PHOENIX (23 - 59) - 10/26/2016, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 6-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 6-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

HOUSTON (42 - 45) at LA LAKERS (17 - 65) - 10/26/2016, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 53-80 ATS (-35.0 Units) in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 6-1 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 6-1 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[CNOTES]

Wednesday's Tip Sheet
October 25, 2016


Heat at Magic (-4, 200) – 7:05 PM EST


The battle of the Sunshine State will showcase plenty of new faces in the opening matchup of the season. Dwyane Wade is off to Chicago, while Chris Bosh remains out with blood clots for Miami as the Heat will be challenged in their defense of the Southeast division title. Miami grabbed three of four meetings from Orlando last season, while riding a five-game winning streak in season openers since 2011. With Wade and Bosh not in the picture, the two leading scorers returning for Miami are center Hassan Whiteside (14.2 ppg) and point guard Goran Dragic (14.1 ppg).


Orlando has a brand new head coach in Frank Vogel after spending the last six seasons with Indiana, which included five playoff appearances. The Magic parted ways with former lottery pick Victor Oladipo, while acquiring veterans Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo to bolster their frontcourt. Orlando finished in the cellar of the Southeast with a 35-47 record, which included a 4-12 mark against division foes. However, the Magic started last season cashing its first seven games, although six of those covers came in the underdog role.


Mavericks at Pacers (-6 ½, 206 ½) – 7:05 PM EST


The clock on Dallas continues to tick as this veteran squad got younger in one aspect by inking former Warrior Harrison Barnes to a long-term deal. Dallas slumped to a 2-5 record in the preseason, while averaging 94 ppg, which ranked second-to-last in the Western Conference. The Mavericks finished tied for second place in the Southwest last season at 42-40, while winning seven of their final nine games to sneak into the playoffs. Dallas has covered four consecutive season openers, including a 3-0 ATS mark as a road underdog.


The Pacers are back in the discussion of a top-four team in the Eastern Conference behind the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Raptors. Indiana pushed the tempo in the preseason by averaging 107.2 ppg under new head coach Nate McMillan, while newly acquired point guard Jeff Teague put up 13 ppg in the preseason. The Pacers have won four of their past five season openers, while capturing each of the previous four matchups with the Mavericks since 2014.


Pistons at Raptors (-7 ½, 195) – 7:05 PM EST

Both these teams were knocked out by the champion Cavaliers in the playoffs last season as Detroit was swept by Cleveland in the opening round. The Pistons start this campaign without point guard Reggie Jackson, who is sidelined with a knee injury for at least a month. Detroit posted its first winning season since 2008 with a 44-38 mark in 2016, but won only 18 games away from the Palace of Auburn Hills. Last season, the Pistons jumped out to an impressive 5-1 SU/ATS record with all five wins coming in the underdog role.


The Raptors’ roster pretty remained intact with Bismack Biyombo being the lone departure to Orlando in the offseason. Toronto finished with one fewer victory than Cleveland for the top seed in the Eastern Conference before bowing out to the Cavaliers in the conference finals. The Raptors owned the second-best home record in the East at 32-9, while Toronto started 5-0 SU/ATS last season and eclipsed the 100-point mark in each of those wins.


Wolves at Grizzlies (-2, 199) – 8:05 PM EST


Minnesota is expected to turn heads in the Western Conference this season after hiring Tom Thibodeau as head coach and president of basketball operations. Thibodeau took the Bulls to five straight playoff appearances from 2011 through 2015 as he looks to lead Minnesota to its first postseason berth since 2004. The Wolves closed last season winning four of their final five games to finish at 29-53, while compiling a 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS record in their last nine road contests.


The Grizzlies flamed out in the opening round of the playoffs last season in a four-game sweep to the Spurs. Memphis is back to full health with center Marc Gasol and point guard Mike Conley in the lineup after each missed the final few months of 2016 due to injury. How bad was it for Memphis down the stretch? The Grizzlies made the playoffs in spite of losing 10 of their final 11 games to finish at 42-40, while compiling a 26-15 record at FedEx Forum. Memphis and Minnesota split four matchups last season as all four games eclipsed the OVER.


Thunder (-8 ½, 208) at 76ers – 8:05 PM EST


The post-Kevin Durant era begins in Oklahoma City as Russell Westbrook is the leader of this Thunder squad moving forward. OKC re-tooled its team heading into this season as the Thunder are not the favorites to win the Northwest after a 55-27 campaign and a Western Conference finals appearance. The Thunder won nine of 15 road games last season against Eastern Conference opponents, including a 111-97 victory at Philadelphia as 15 ½-point favorites.


Philadelphia won a grand total of 10 games last season, while losing 30 of its first 31 contests. The 76ers grabbed LSU phenom Ben Simmons with the top pick in the draft, but he’s sidelined with a broken bone in his right foot. Philadelphia began last season with a 2-9-1 ATS record in its first 12 games as a home underdogs, while winning its first game in the home ‘dog role in January against Minnesota.


Rockets (-6 ½, 223) at Lakers – 10:35 PM EST


Mike D’Antoni makes his return to the bench, taking over as Rockets’ head coach following an unsuccessful stint as head man of the Lakers from 2012-2014. The Rockets put up ridiculous scoring numbers in the preseason by averaging 118.6 ppg, including four games of 120 points or more. Houston swept the four-game series from Los Angeles last season with every victory coming by double-digits. James Harden averaged 31.5 ppg in the four wins over the Lakers as the Rockets own a 6-0 SU/ATS record in the past six visits to Staples Center.


The Lakers begin a brand new era following Kobe Bryant’s retirement after last season’s disastrous 17-65 mark. Luke Walton came over from Golden State to become the head coach, while Los Angeles signed veterans Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov to go along with emerging star D’Angelo Russell. The Lakers closed last season with four consecutive covers at Staples Center as Los Angeles seeks its first opening night win since upsetting the Clippers in 2013.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA RECORD + BEST BETS:


10/25/2016 3-3-0 50.00% -150


WLT PCT UNITS


ATS Picks 1-2-0 33.33% -600


O/U Picks 2-1-0 66.67% +450


BEST BETS:


ATS: 1 - 1


O/U: 1 - 1


WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


DAL at IND 07:00 PM


U 205.5


MIA at ORL 07:00 PM


ORL -3.5 *****


BK at BOS 07:30 PM


BOS -11.0


U 211.5 *****


DET at TOR 07:30 PM


O 197.0 *****


OKC at PHI 08:00 PM


O 209.0


MIN at MEM 08:00 PM


U 199.5


DEN at NO 08:00 PM


O 207.0


CHA at MIL 08:00 PM


CHA -2.0


U 194.0


SAC at PHO 10:00 PM


SAC +3.0 *****


U 211.5


HOU at LAL 10:30 PM

HOU -6.0

 

[CNOTES]

NBA Capsules
October 26, 2016


INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Myles Turner scored 30 points, tied his career high with 16 rebounds and made a 3-pointer with 1:18 left in overtime to start an 8-0 run that allowed the Indiana Pacers to close out a 130-121 victory Wednesday night over the Dallas Mavericks.


Three-time All-Star Paul George added 25 points, including another 3 with 55 seconds left to seal Indiana's fifth season-opening win in six years.


Deron Williams scored 25 points, while J.J. Barea and Dirk Nowitzki each added 22 as the Mavs lost their fifth straight in the series. They still haven't won in Indianapolis since February 2014.


Dallas didn't tie the score or take a lead until the fourth quarter, yet still forced overtime when Harrison Barnes' open 3-pointer made it 115-all with 2.3 seconds left.


Turner could have won it with a long buzzer-beating 3, but it bounced off the back of the rim.


NUGGETS 107, PELICANS 102


NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Jusuf Nurkic scored 23 points, Will Barton added 22, and the Nuggets survived a dominant performance by Anthony Davis to defeat the Pelicans.


Davis had 50 points, 16 rebounds, seven steals, five assists and four blocks. His production helped New Orleans trim a deficit as large as 14 late in the second quarter down to two points in the waning minutes. He simply didn't have enough help.


The rest of the Pelicans combined to shoot 21 of 58. Tim Frazier scored 15 for the Pelicans. E'Twaun Moore added 10 points, but missed a 3-point attempt that could have tied it with 24 seconds left.


Danilo Gallinari scored 15 for Denver and Wilson Chandler added 12 points.


HORNETS 107, BUCKS 96


MILWAUKEE (AP) - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 23 points and 14 rebounds in his return from a shoulder injury, Roy Hibbert added 15 points, and the Hornets opened their season with a victory over the Bucks.


The Hornets led by as many as 24 points in the third quarter before fending off a late charge from Milwaukee.


The Bucks, who looked lackluster for much of the game, drew energy from Greg Monroe's hustle in the paint and Jason Terry's floater that cut the lead to 93-85 with 5:08 left.


But the Hornets held on down the stretch, getting a straightaway 3 from Marvin Williams for a 12-point lead with 3:21 left.


The 7-foot-2 Hibbert had a couple of rim-rocking dunks in the third quarter that helped build the 20-point lead.


Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 31 points.


HEAT 108, MAGIC 96


ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Miami center Hassan White had 18 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots and point guard Goran Dragic added 16 points as the Heat cruised to a season-opening victory over the Magic.


The Heat, taking advantage of the one-game suspension of Orlando center Bismack Biyombo, dominated inside all game with Whiteside and Willie Reed off the bench. Neither Nikola Vucevic nor Serge Ibaka could match the athleticism and strength of the 7-foot Whiteside inside.


The new-look Heat, playing without Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh this season, outscored the Magic in the paint 74-36 and outrebounded them 52-44.


Vucevic finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds while Evan Fournier added 20 points. Ibaka, making his debut with the Magic, managed 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting.


CELTICS 122, NETS 117


BOSTON (AP) - Isaiah Thomas had 25 points and nine assists, Jae Crowder added 21 points and Al Horford pitched in 11 in his Boston debut as the Celtics survived a late scare to beat the Nets.


Bojan Bogdanovic scored 21 for Brooklyn, including a 3-pointer to make it 120-117 with 47 seconds left after the Nets erased most of a 23-point deficit against the Boston bench. But he missed one with a chance to tie it after Joe Harris intercepted Thomas' cross-court pass, and the Celtics were able to hold on.


Justin Hamilton came off the bench to score 19 points and grab 10 rebounds for the Nets in coach Kenny Atkinson's debut.

RAPTORS 109, PISTONS 91


TORONTO (AP) - DeMar DeRozan scored 40 points and Jonas Valanciunas added a career-high 32 as the Raptors opened their season with a victory over the Pistons.


DeRozan made a career-high 17 field goals on 27 shots and was a perfect 6 for 6 from the free throw line, while Valanciunas was 10 for 15 from the field to go along with 11 rebounds. Valanciunas' previous career high was 31, also against the Pistons, on Jan. 12, 2015.


Tobias Harris had 22 points and Marcus Morris had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Pistons, who lost for the eighth time in their last 11 games against Toronto.


DeRozan broke Vince Carter's opening-night record of 39 points, set against the-then New Jersey Nets in 2003. Alvin Robertson is the only other Toronto player to record a 30-point opening-night game, in the franchise's first-ever game, also against New Jersey, in 1995.


GRIZZLIES 102, TIMBERWOLVES 98

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Mike Conley scored 24 points, Marc Gasol added 18 and the Grizzlies overcame a slow start for a victory over the Timberwolves.


Conley and Gasol led a push down the stretch as the Grizzlies erased a 90-86 deficit the final 2:44. Zach Randolph had 19 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis.


Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with 25 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 21. Zach LaVine added 19 points.


The game was the debut of two coaches with new teams, Tom Thibodeau for Minnesota and former Miami Heat assistant David Fizdale with Memphis.


Both teams had big runs in the game, Minnesota at the start and Memphis to open the second half. Then the game settled into a tight affair in the fourth quarter.

THUNDER 103, 76ERS 97


PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Russell Westbrook had 32 points, 12 rebounds and took over late to lead the Thunder to a victory over the 76ers.


Westbrook scored the decisive points on opening night for the Thunder in their first game since franchise star Kevin Durant left in free agency and signed with the Golden State Warriors.


Joel Embiid scored 20 points in 22 minutes in his first game for the Sixers since they made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Embiid had sat out the last two seasons with foot injuries. He received a roaring ovation when he was introduced and fans went wild on every shot.

 

[CNOTES]

Thursday’s six-pack


— 30 of Carlos Santana’s 34 homers this year were hit lefthanded.


— Last grand slam in World Series? Paul Konerko for the White Sox in Game 2 of ’05 Series.


— Opening Day rosters of the 30 NBA teams: 113 foreign players, 43 white Americans.


— Kevin Harlan is a busy broadcaster; he did the NFL game in London Sunday, then flew to Oakland for the Spurs-Warriors game Tuesday night.


— In their last three road games, Jets scored only one TD on 30 drives.


— Former Wyoming hoop coach Larry Shyatt is now an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.



Thursday’s List of 13: NFL knowledge and our top 7


Some notes about how NFL teams have done on the first drive of each half this season: in my mind, the first drive of each game goes to how coaches prepare for their opponent each week.


First drive of the second half goes to halftime adjustments, as much as can be done in 10-12 minutes. Through seven weeks, here is some information:


13) Dallas Cowboys, in six games, have three TDs, two FGs and a missed FG on their first drive of the game, averaging 66.7 yards/drive, by far the best in the NFL thru seven weeks.


12) Three teams have yet to score on their first drive of a game: Arizona, Jacksonville and the Giants, who have only 79 yards on 27 plays on the first drive of their seven games.


11) Saints/Chargers both have four TDs on their first drive, though Saints did that in six games and Chargers seven; New Orleans averages 54.2 yards/first drive, San Diego 47.1.


10) Most surprising that I’ve found so far: Denver has allowed four TDs and a FG on opponents’ first drive of a game- their 31 points allowed on the first drive is 2nd-worst in the NFL.


9) Less surprising is Cleveland’s defense allowing five TDs on its seven game opening drives, with foes gaining an average of 55.9 yards/drive.


8) Giants have been outscored 30-3 on each team’s first drive of each half; Jets have been outscored 35-16. For the Giants, 66 plays, 210 yards (3.2 yards/play) on the first drive of their 14 halves is very poor.


On to the NFL’s top 7 for this week:


7) Chiefs— Andy Reid is this generation’s Chuck Knox— very good coach, wins a lot of games, just not any Super Bowls. Nothing wrong with winning a lot of games.


6) Raiders— 4-0 on the road and all four games were east of Mississippi; this week is #5.


5) Seahawks— Lost 9-3 in LA, tied 6-6 at Arizona, their two games on grass. Won the other four games. Not sure how bad Wilson’s leg injuries are, but if he doesn’t start running around soon, I’ll lose faith in Seattle.


Related point; NBC’s Cris Collinsworth actually grouped Wilson with Brady and Roethlisberger as a pocket passer during Sunday night’s game. Um, no. Not even close.


4) Cowboys— Is it easier for a rookie QB to be without Dez Bryant and not have him calling for the ball all the time? What Jason Garrett has done in the first six games is tremendous- their offensive line is just super.


3) Broncos— Little queasy about having them at #3, but they’re the defending champs and they’re 5-2. I wouldn’t bet your money on them on win the Super Bowl this year.


2) Vikings— Sam Bradford began his NFL career with the Rams, so pardon me if I’m skeptical he can lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl. He just doesn’t stay healthy.


1) Patriots— They head into heir bye week with an actual revenge game this week; Bills beat them in Foxboro in Week 4, the last week of Brady’s suspension and also in all probability, the last NFL action Jacoby Brissett will ever see.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA knowledge
Not much to go on for 7-10 days, but we’ll share the info we have.


Thursday’s games


Hawks won five of last seven games with Washington; three of last four series games went over total. Wizards lost three of last four visits to Atlanta, losing by 15-1-16 points. This is the season opener for both teams.


Chicago is 7-3 in last ten games with the Celtics; six of last seven series games went over total. Boston lost four of last five visits to Windy City (2-3 vs spread). Celtics beat Nets 122-117 last night, in their home opener.


Portland KO’d Clippers from LY’s playoffs in six games, after losing first two; under is 5-2 in last seven series games. Clippers lost last three visits to Portland by 8-14-3 points (under is 3-2 in last five). This is Clippers’ season opener. Blazers beat Utah by 9 Tuesday in their home opener.


Sacramento christens its new arena against Spurs team that whacked Golden State by 29 in its opener Tuesday. Spurs won last six series games, covering four of last five; last four series tilts stayed under total. Kings beat Suns in Phoenix in their opener last night.

 

[CNOTES]

Inside the Paint - Thursday
October 27, 2016


After watching the favorites start the NBA season on Tuesday with a 2-1 record both straight up and against the spread, bettors watched the underdogs strike back Wednesday.


The pups went 7-3 against the spread and five of them won outright, which included the Lakers’ 120-114 win over the Rockets as six-point home underdogs. That game easily went ‘over’ the eye opening number of 224 ½ and scoring has been the early theme through the first two days of the season.


Including that result, the ‘over’ has gone 10-3 (77%) the first two days with only seven teams (out of 26) have been held under 100 points.


Four games slated for Thursday, which includes the nationally televised TNT double-header.


As mentioned in Tuesday’s ITP, I’d suggest you tread lightly until the season really picks up. Tonight’s action has two teams facing back-to-back spots plus this is the opener for half the teams in action.


Washington at Atlanta (7:35 p.m. ET)


This is the opener for both clubs and it looks like a toss-up with the Hawks listed as 3 ½-point home favorites over the Wizards. Despite losing Jeff Teague and Al Horford, I still believe Atlanta can win the division with Dennis Schroder taking over point guard duties but the role players need to step up and hopefully Dwight Howard provides some production.


Washington still has a solid nucleus in John Wall, Bradley Beal and Marcin Gortat but like Atlanta, the depth issues are a concern. It will be interesting to see if new head coach Scott Brooks can find the right formula.


These teams split their four regular season meetings last season with each club earning one victory on the road while the ‘over’ went 3-1. The Wizards have gone 1-3 in their last four openers while Atlanta has gone 0-3 the last three years and the Hawks defense have surrendered an average 105.6 PPG in those setbacks, which has helped the ‘over’ go 3-0.


Boston at Chicago (TNT, 8:00 p.m. ET)


The Celtics opened the season last night with a 122-117 shootout win at home over the Nets and failed to cover the healthy number (-11 ½). Boston was very sloppy (19 turnovers) and let up in the fourth quarter and Brooklyn kept the game close by draining 15 bombs from 3-point land. Last season, Boston went 12-7 in back-to-back spots and five of those losses came on the road.


Chicago is listed as a short home ‘dog (+1 ½) for this matchup and it will be unveiling plenty of new faces. Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo will form the new backcourt while Robin Lopez will start at center. Plus you have point guard Michael Carter-Williams coming off the bench and rookie Denzel Valentine out of Michigan State. Add all the pieces to All-Star Jimmy Butler and your guess is as good as mine on how successful they could be.


These teams met three times last season and the home team won and covered all of those games while the ‘over’ went 2-1. Chicago went 5-5 as a home ‘dog last season while Boston was 11-9 as a road favorite.


L.A. Clippers at Portland (TNT, 10:30 p.m. ET)


The Trail Blazers beat the Clippers 4-2 in the first round of last year’s playoffs but that outcome was marred by injuries for Los Angeles, who didn’t have Chris Paul and Blake Griffin for the final three games. When the Clippers were healthy, they went 3-1 versus Portland in the regular season and captured the first two games of the aforementioned postseason series.


The ‘under’ went 7-3 in the 10 games between the pair last season yet the pair are staring at a high total (210) for this game.


Los Angeles matches up very well with Portland, especially in the frontcourt with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. The backcourt still has Chris Paul, and the team added some veterans that can score off the bench in Marreese Speights, Brandon Bass, Alan Anderson and Raymond Felton.


The Trail Blazers have one of the best backcourts in the league and that unit helped the team defeat Utah 113-104 on Tuesday as six-point home favorites. PG Damian Lillard dropped 39 in the win and the team shot 68 percent (13-of-19) from 3-point land.


It’s not surprising that Portland plays much better at the Moda Center but it tends to notch a lot of wins against inferior clubs. As a home ‘dog last season, the Blazers went 9-7 which includes a 3-1 mark in the playoffs, two wins versus these Clippers.


San Antonio at Sacramento (10:35 p.m. ET)


The Spurs opened as the largest favorites (-8 ½) on Thursday and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the number go up based on the form and head-to-head history. San Antonio caught everybody’s attention on Tuesday when it blasted Golden State 129-100 as an 8 ½-point road underdog in wire-to-wire fashion.


Meanwhile, Sacramento will be playing with no rest after it racked up an impressive 113-94 win over Phoenix as a three-point underdog. Dave Joerger is a very good NBA coach and even though the matchup was versus the Suns, you can see what he wants to defensively and this team will likely mirror the Memphis squads we’ve seen in the past.


Sacramento struggled to a 4-15 record when playing on no rest last season but did manage to be somewhat competitive with an 11-8 ATS mark in those games.


The Kings will be opening up their new arena (Golden 1 Center) tonight and the place looks incredible but I’m not sure if that should make you lean to the home squad. San Antonio has owned Sacramento over the years, going 27-3 SU in the last 30 encounters and the Spurs swept all four games last season (3-1 ATS) and every victory came by double digits while the ‘under’ went 4-0.


The better look for Sacramento as a home ‘dog might be on Saturday when it hosts Minnesota, who is receiving a ton of respect from the oddsmakers and pundits.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack


— 30 of Carlos Santana’s 34 homers this year were hit lefthanded.


— Last grand slam in World Series? Paul Konerko for the White Sox in Game 2 of ’05 Series.


— Opening Day rosters of the 30 NBA teams: 113 foreign players, 43 white Americans.


— Kevin Harlan is a busy broadcaster; he did the NFL game in London Sunday, then flew to Oakland for the Spurs-Warriors game Tuesday night.


— In their last three road games, Jets scored only one TD on 30 drives.


— Former Wyoming hoop coach Larry Shyatt is now an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.


**********


Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: NFL knowledge and our top 7


Some notes about how NFL teams have done on the first drive of each half this season: in my mind, the first drive of each game goes to how coaches prepare for their opponent each week.


First drive of the second half goes to halftime adjustments, as much as can be done in 10-12 minutes. Through seven weeks, here is some information:


13) Dallas Cowboys, in six games, have three TDs, two FGs and a missed FG on their first drive of the game, averaging 66.7 yards/drive, by far the best in the NFL thru seven weeks.


12) Three teams have yet to score on their first drive of a game: Arizona, Jacksonville and the Giants, who have only 79 yards on 27 plays on the first drive of their seven games.


11) Saints/Chargers both have four TDs on their first drive, though Saints did that in six games and Chargers seven; New Orleans averages 54.2 yards/first drive, San Diego 47.1.


10) Most surprising that I’ve found so far: Denver has allowed four TDs and a FG on opponents’ first drive of a game- their 31 points allowed on the first drive is 2nd-worst in the NFL.


9) Less surprising is Cleveland’s defense allowing five TDs on its seven game opening drives, with foes gaining an average of 55.9 yards/drive.


8) Giants have been outscored 30-3 on each team’s first drive of each half; Jets have been outscored 35-16. For the Giants, 66 plays, 210 yards (3.2 yards/play) on the first drive of their 14 halves is very poor.


On to the NFL’s top 7 for this week:


7) Chiefs— Andy Reid is this generation’s Chuck Knox— very good coach, wins a lot of games, just not any Super Bowls. Nothing wrong with winning a lot of games.


6) Raiders— 4-0 on the road and all four games were east of Mississippi; this week is #5.


5) Seahawks— Lost 9-3 in LA, tied 6-6 at Arizona, their two games on grass. Won the other four games. Not sure how bad Wilson’s leg injuries are, but if he doesn’t start running around soon, I’ll lose faith in Seattle.


Related point; NBC’s Cris Collinsworth actually grouped Wilson with Brady and Roethlisberger as a pocket passer during Sunday night’s game. Um, no. Not even close.


4) Cowboys— Is it easier for a rookie QB to be without Dez Bryant and not have him calling for the ball all the time? What Jason Garrett has done in the first six games is tremendous- their offensive line is just super.


3) Broncos— Little queasy about having them at #3, but they’re the defending champs and they’re 5-2. I wouldn’t bet your money on them on win the Super Bowl this year.


2) Vikings— Sam Bradford began his NFL career with the Rams, so pardon me if I’m skeptical he can lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl. He just doesn’t stay healthy.


1) Patriots— They head into heir bye week with an actual revenge game this week; Bills beat them in Foxboro in Week 4, the last week of Brady’s suspension and also in all probability, the last NFL action Jacoby Brissett will ever see.