Richie Carrera
Detroit -110 over TORONTO 5 Dimes
(List Penny/Reyes)
Anytime you get to take straight up odds against Jo-Jo Reyes, you do it.
I have been very close to taking Dallas for the sweep at home... It just seems like a no-brainer to me, with Joe-Public riding LA. However, I am weary to a degree with the return of Ron Artest... Dallas has really been the Dirkshow, but beyond that, I'm just not that confident that anyone else will step up in the series. While Kobe hasn't busted out with a huge performance in the series, the Lakers still have better scoring capabilities beyond their superstar. (namely Bynum, Gasol and Odom) So basically, I am leaning towards the sweep, but I guess I don't fully trust Dallas to finish them off.
Chicago -3.5 over ATLANTA 10 Dimes
Atlanta has been somewhat of a feel-good story this season and I really do credit them for making things interesting during their playoff run, but I truly believe that they have reached their limitation. 3 to 4 points of chalk just isn't enough when you are pitted against the most well rounded team in the East. League MVP Derrick Rose is at the top of his game, and that usually means his opponents are in for a long night. Chicago wins on the road tonight, possibly by double digits!
Detroit -110 over TORONTO 5 Dimes
(List Penny/Reyes)
Anytime you get to take straight up odds against Jo-Jo Reyes, you do it.
I have been very close to taking Dallas for the sweep at home... It just seems like a no-brainer to me, with Joe-Public riding LA. However, I am weary to a degree with the return of Ron Artest... Dallas has really been the Dirkshow, but beyond that, I'm just not that confident that anyone else will step up in the series. While Kobe hasn't busted out with a huge performance in the series, the Lakers still have better scoring capabilities beyond their superstar. (namely Bynum, Gasol and Odom) So basically, I am leaning towards the sweep, but I guess I don't fully trust Dallas to finish them off.
Chicago -3.5 over ATLANTA 10 Dimes
Atlanta has been somewhat of a feel-good story this season and I really do credit them for making things interesting during their playoff run, but I truly believe that they have reached their limitation. 3 to 4 points of chalk just isn't enough when you are pitted against the most well rounded team in the East. League MVP Derrick Rose is at the top of his game, and that usually means his opponents are in for a long night. Chicago wins on the road tonight, possibly by double digits!
John Chang
Tampa Bay Rays (-120, list Davis & Bergesen) over BALTIMORE ORIOLES, 10 dimes
This pitching matchup heavily favors the road team. The Rays are starting to get on a roll, winning three straight. The starters are keeping the opposition guessing at the plate, and that's more than likely what Wade Davis will do to the O's today. Davis is having a great season thus far, keeping his ERA low on the road and at home. He also has a favorable history pitching against the Orioles (ERA of 2.81 and a WHIP of 1.2.) The Rays have plated 17 runs across this three game win streak, and the base knocks should be flying this afternoon. Bradley Bergesen has been awful against the Rays in his career. He's 0-4 with a terrible ERA of 9.00. He allows more than 2 baserunners per inning on average. That's a recipe for big innings for Tampa. Take this road favorite.
Chicago Bulls -3.5 over ATLANTA HAWKS, 10 dimes
Now that the Bulls have found the right intensity level, I don't see the Hawks having a chance. Their home crowd is one of the least supportive I've ever seen, and lately it sounds as though there are more fans cheering for Derrick Rose than for an Atlanta basket. To go with the crowd negativity, there's some open dissension amongst Joe Johnson and Coach Drew. There's really not much the Hawks can do about getting dominated on the boards. Chicago is bigger, better coached, and more focused on rebounding than Atlanta. They automatically crash to the boards on both ends of the floor while Atlanta struggles to keep one man in position inside. Derrick Rose isn't slowing down, and even if he has an off night, Luol Deng, Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson and C.J. Watson have shown the ability to score big baskets. The defense is key as well. Chicago has come back to form to make Atlanta's scorers look downright incompetent. This game should be another clinic. Lay the chalk.
SAN JOSE SHARKS -140 over Detroit Red Wings, 10 dimes
Tampa Bay Rays (-120, list Davis & Bergesen) over BALTIMORE ORIOLES, 10 dimes
This pitching matchup heavily favors the road team. The Rays are starting to get on a roll, winning three straight. The starters are keeping the opposition guessing at the plate, and that's more than likely what Wade Davis will do to the O's today. Davis is having a great season thus far, keeping his ERA low on the road and at home. He also has a favorable history pitching against the Orioles (ERA of 2.81 and a WHIP of 1.2.) The Rays have plated 17 runs across this three game win streak, and the base knocks should be flying this afternoon. Bradley Bergesen has been awful against the Rays in his career. He's 0-4 with a terrible ERA of 9.00. He allows more than 2 baserunners per inning on average. That's a recipe for big innings for Tampa. Take this road favorite.
Chicago Bulls -3.5 over ATLANTA HAWKS, 10 dimes
Now that the Bulls have found the right intensity level, I don't see the Hawks having a chance. Their home crowd is one of the least supportive I've ever seen, and lately it sounds as though there are more fans cheering for Derrick Rose than for an Atlanta basket. To go with the crowd negativity, there's some open dissension amongst Joe Johnson and Coach Drew. There's really not much the Hawks can do about getting dominated on the boards. Chicago is bigger, better coached, and more focused on rebounding than Atlanta. They automatically crash to the boards on both ends of the floor while Atlanta struggles to keep one man in position inside. Derrick Rose isn't slowing down, and even if he has an off night, Luol Deng, Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson and C.J. Watson have shown the ability to score big baskets. The defense is key as well. Chicago has come back to form to make Atlanta's scorers look downright incompetent. This game should be another clinic. Lay the chalk.
SAN JOSE SHARKS -140 over Detroit Red Wings, 10 dimes
