Service Plays Easter Sunday 4/24/11

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

The Rx.com Mod Team has created this Service Play sub-forum in order to supply an area for Rx Service Play Posters to expand upon their posting topics without creating a logjam in the main forum where the three principle threads are maintained..

Posters can track services here if they care to but we will need any trackers to do so in an accurate and civil manner. We did not create this area for posters to ridicule or bash any services..

You can also discuss who is hot and who is not. The general state of the pay for plays industry and any other subject or topic related to service plays.

You can also create individual threads about specific services and discuss them freely but civilly. Again bashing and abusive treatment of any services will not be tolerated.

Please remember, this forum is not here for regular posters who cap their own games to post ther daily plays. Please use our individual sport forums to post your plays. Professional cappers (those that sell plays) must remain in the Site Promotion Forum.

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Lastly The Rx Moderators are appealing to you our everyday posters to report any promotional threads or posts that are made by services or individual touts. No links or contact information to an individual service will be allowed. Just the name of the service. Please report any threads or posts that are promotional attempts by services and touts to use this forum to promote themselves..

Posters can easily report a promotional post by using the triangular Report-a-Post Icon at the bottom left of all post boxes. The poster name of any poster who reports a post that is out of line will be kept strictly confidential.

I will leave this thread open for a month to take questions and do my best to answer them. I will check in daily but am off on Wednesday and Thursday.

I hope this additional Service Play Forum will satisfy those posters that would like to widen the scope of topics relating to service plays and the industry in general to have their own threads. Mods will be liberal as possible regarding topics but this forum was specifically created to allow you more freedom to express your ideas regarding service plays and related subject matter. No off topic threads will be allowed.

Thank you, wilheim




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Some handicappers do not mind having their plays posted, If we are asked by any company to not let their information be posted here, we will comply with the request and remove the information if we see it.
For The Record.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To all services and professional handicappers. I am only going to be editing posts where your copyrighted write-ups are involved. Please do not email me if someone simply posts so and so likes xyz team plus or minus so many points only.
Thank you, wilheim.......

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GL!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

 

[flashmo]

Vegaz Expertz
Bryan Adryan

Washington +128
Oakland -127

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Football Jesus website for sunday : Heat/76ers OVER total game 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Philly WiseGuys

NBA Underdog Shocker NEW YORK KNICKS

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA News and Notes Sunday 4/24
NBA Betting: Knicks face elimination vs. Celtics
By: Michael Robinson

The New York Knicks are on the brink of elimination as they host the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of their series on Sunday. No NBA team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in the playoffs.

The Don Best odds screen will be updated soon with the latest lines. The national broadcast from Madison Square Garden will shift to ABC beginning at 12:30 p.m. (PT).

New York’s celebrity crowd on Friday was pumped up for the first home playoff game since 2004. It might have been better waiting one more year.

The Knicks (42-43 straight-up, 48-35-2 against the spread) surprisingly didn’t come to play, trailing by eight points at halftime and a whopping 23 after three quarters. The 113-96 final was an embarrassment for a team that was 3½-point favorites. That spread actually moved up as it got closer to game time.

New York has to be extra disappointed after fighting so hard the first two games in Boston. The Knicks lost 87-85 and 96-93, ‘covering’ the spread as six and 6 ½-point ‘dogs respectively. They’re now 0-7 SU against Boston this year (4-3 ATS).

Amare Stoudemire had just seven points in Game 3 on 2-of-8 shooting. He’s clearly still bothered by his sore back and there’s no guarantee it will be better by Sunday. Carmelo Anthony followed up his dominant 42-point performance in Game 2 with 15 points, going a woeful 4-of-16 from the field.

Point guard Chauncey Billups missed his second consecutive game and is listed as doubtful for Sunday. His replacement Toney Douglas scored 15 points last game, but had just three assists and isn’t doing anything defensively to stop Rajon Rondo.

Rondo put on a clinic with a triple-double of 15 points, 11 rebounds and 20 assists. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combined for 70 points while shooting 25-of-37 from the field (67.6 percent). That includes an incredible 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) from three-point land.

The 209 combined points scored last game went way ‘over’ the 191 point total. The ‘over’ is 7-1 in New York’s last eight home games. The ‘under’ was 2-0 in the two playoff games in Boston.

The Celtics (59-26 SU, 39-44-2 ATS) have to be feeling great about themselves after this effort. It was a championship type performance for a team that could have easily lost the first two games.

Center Jermaine O’Neal has given quality minutes in the middle. He had modest numbers (six points, three rebounds) in just 27 minutes last game, but was a presence defensively with three blocks. He needs to keep playing well with Shaquille O’Neal (calf) doubtful and backup Glen Davis in a funk offensively, 10 total points the first three games.

The rest of Boston’s bench is also struggling with 100 of the 113 points last game coming from the starters.

Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni is reportedly fighting for his job and has a big motivation task for Sunday. His guys have to feel snake-bitten with the injuries to both Billups and Stoudemire. Billups’ leadership is really missing on both ends of the court.

The first thing D’Antoni has to do is address the lack of defensive effort. Rondo can’t be allowed to whatever he wants on the court. He’s continually creating great looks for his teammates. The only good news is Allen and Pierce can’t possibly be that hot from long range again.

Boston did take a 3-0 lead against Miami in the opening round last year, but lost 101-92 in Game 4 as 1½-point road ‘dogs. New York certainly hopes history repeats itself.

Game 5 of the series will be played on Tuesday if necessary, but the Knicks will have to give a much better effort on Sunday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA News and Notes Sunday 4/24
LA Lakers at New Orleans Hornets
By: Willie Bee

Order appears to have been restored in the playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Hornets whose stunning Game 1 victory is but a distant memory now.

Kobe Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol netted seven of his 17 in the final quarter to help the Lakers pull away for a 100-86 Game 3 win Friday night at New Orleans Arena. The triumph gave Los Angeles a 2-1 lead in the series that resumes Sunday evening in the Crescent City.

TNT will begin its broadcast at 6:30 p.m. (PT), the second game on its Easter lineup following Game 4 of the Magic, Hawks series from Atlanta.

Bryant scored 10 of his 30 in the first quarter, his first bucket negating New Orleans' only lead of the game a little more than two minutes into the contest. Los Angeles was in control from that point on to easily cover the five-point spread.

Kobe's final two points with about 1:30 left in the fourth gave the Lakers their largest lead at 100-82 and also sent 'over' 181½ backers to the pay station. Bryant's effort marked the 80th time in his career he has scored at least 30 in a postseason game.

Gasol finished with 10 rebounds to go with his 17 points with Andrew Bynum also registering a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds). Nine of the duo's 21 boards came on the offensive end of the court.

Carl Landry led the Hornets with 23 points while Chris Paul added 22. The pair hit 15-of-25 from the field but got little help from the rest of their teammates who converted on just 18-of-47 attempts (38.2 percent).

Los Angeles' first cover in the series was triggered by Gasol's effort after the 7-foot Spaniard was all but absent from the first two games of the series. He had 16 points combined in Games 1 and 2 on 4-of-19 shooting and totaled just 11 rebounds in those contests.

"It was a much better game on my part," Gasol noted after the win, making the understatement of the evening.

The final was the second 'over' of the series following the Hornets' big Game 1 upset, 109-100 as 11-point dogs. Los Angeles' 87-79 Game 2 win as 11½-point chalk fell short of the 185½-point closing number.

With Gasol's game back on track and having the large cushion, Lakers coach Phil Jackson had the luxury of resting Bynum much of the final quarter. The sixth-year center continues to be troubled by his injured right knee but is expected to start and play in Sunday's matchup.

New Orleans came out of the game healthy but facing a must-win at home in Game 4. The lack of scoring off his bench and the Lakers' dominance on the glass all three games have Hornets coach Monty Williams searching for answers as his club tries to even the series before heading back to LA.

After taking Monday off, the teams pick up the action in Game 5 at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Tuesday. TNT has that broadcast beginning at 7:30 p.m. (PT).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA News and Notes Sunday 4/24
Sunday's Playoff Tips
By Brian Edwards

They don’t serve beer on Sundays in Atlanta, but the bank stays open late on Friday nights at Philips Arena. At least that was the case in Game 3 when Jamal Crawford banked home a 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds remaining to lift the Hawks to an 88-84 win over Orlando.

Crawford has been the catalyst for Atlanta, which will try to take a 3-1 series lead when these teams collide Sunday. The Michigan product is averaging 23.7 points per game in this first-round series against the Magic, who came up short as a 1½-point road ‘chalk’ in Game 3.

The Hawks have now won five of seven head-to-head meetings against Orlando this season. The ‘under’ is 6-1 in those seven encounters.

Larry Drew’s team led for nearly the entire game until the Magic made a strong run in the fourth quarter. There were four lead changes in the last two minutes, the last of which came when Hawks’ All-Star Al Horford buried a clutch jumper with 46 ticks left.

With 2:22 remaining, Atlanta reserve center Zaza Pachulia and Orlando starting guard Jason Richardson got into an altercation after Pachulia and Dwight Howard got tangled up. Richardson and Pachulia have both been suspended for Game 4.

Does either team have a decided advantage with these players unavailable? I don’t think it’s a huge edge by any means, but this space feels like the Magic will benefit.

Pachulia and Jason Collins are the primary defenders on Dwight Howard so when Collins inevitably gets into foul trouble Sunday, the Hawks are going to have issues. This will likely mean more playing time for Josh Powell and Hilton Armstrong.

Although Richardson is a starter and a key piece for Stan Van Gundy’s team, the head coach probably wants to get veteran sharpshooter Quentin Richardson more minutes anyway. Richardson drained all three of his 3-point attempts in Game 3.

With Q-Richardson and J.J. Redick available, it says here that the Magic will be ok. But without Pachulia, Horford might have to defend Howard and that could result in foul trouble for him. Plus, Zaza has played well in this series and his toughness and grit will be missed by the Hawks.

For Game 4, most betting shops have installed Orlando (53-32 straight up, 35-49-1 against the spread) as a two-point favorite with a 179-point total. The Hawks are plus-110 on the money line (risk $100 to win $110).

The ‘under’ has been a lucrative investment in Atlanta (46-39 SU, 40-45 ATS) games, cashing at a 50-35 overall clip. The Hawks have seen the ‘under’ go 25-17 in their home games.

As for Orlando, it has watched the ‘under’ go 48-35-2 overall, 21-20-1 in its road assignments.

Tip-off for Sunday’s Game 4 is slated for 7:05 p.m. Eastern on TNT.

The late-night option for bettors will be Game 4 of the Lakers-Hornets in the Big Easy. Most books are listing Los Angeles (59-26 SU, 40-44-1 ATS) as a 5 ½-point favorite with a total of 183. Monty Williams’s team is plus-210 on the money line (risk $100 to win $210).

Phil Jackson’s club took a 2-1 series lead by winning a 100-86 decision Friday at New Orleans Arena. The Lakers hooked up their backers as five-point road ‘chalk.’

Kobe Bryant led the way with a game-high 30 points. Perhaps most importantly, Pau Gasol snapped out of a personal slump to post a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Bynum added 14 points and 11 boards.

Chris Paul produced 22 points and eight assists while making 9-of-13 shots from the field. However, the Hornets connected on just 2-of-13 shots from beyond the arc. Carl Landry played his best game of the series, scoring a team-high 23 points.

Paul injured his left thumb when Bynum hammered him with a foul in Game 3. Although he'll play Sunday night, he practiced Saturday with non-shooting hand wrapped.

Game 4 will be on TNT at 9:35 p.m. Eastern.

B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets

Portland pulled even with Dallas by rallying from 23 points down to capture an 84-82 win in Saturday’s Game 4 at the Rose Garden. Nevertheless, the Mavericks hooked up their backers as 3½-point underdogs, although those going the money-line route were left heartbroken and unable to collect a plus-160 payout. Brandon Roy was the catalyst with 24 points and five assists.

The Mavs now own a 16-6 spread record in 22 games as road underdogs this year.

Sunday’s action gets started at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, where the 76ers will try to avoid a sweep against the Heat. As of Saturday night, most books were listing Miami as a six-point favorite with a total of 188. Philadelphia is plus-190 on the money line. ABC will provide television coverage at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

The Knicks will also look to avoid broom treatment when they host Boston in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics have been installed as 3½-point favorites at most spots. The total is 195 and New York is plus-130 to win outright. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

Van Gundy gave Gilbert Arenas a DNP-coach’s decision in Game 3. Ouch! But I can’t say I blame the Orlando head coach.

Indiana covered the spread for the fourth consecutive time in its first-round series with Chicago, taking an 89-84 triumph as a 4½-point underdog in Game 4 at Conseco Fieldhouse. This time around, the Pacers won outright and avoided the sweep, hooking up money-line supporters with a plus-175 return (paid $175 on $100 wagers).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

What Bettors Need to Know: Sunday NBA Playoffs

Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers (+6, 188)

THE STORY: The Miami Heat have not lost since April 6 and have shown no signs of letting that streak end in during their first-round playoff series. The young Philadelphia 76ers have had a nice run and should have plenty of confidence going into next season, it doesn’t appear that an upset is in their immediate future. Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and company will be looking to complete a series sweep when they visit Philadelphia on Sunday for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Andre Iguodala is shooting 28 percent (7 of 25) in the series for the 76ers, topping out at 10 points on Thursday. James is shooting 52.9 percent (18 of 34) from the floor in the last two games for Miami.

KEY STATISTIC: The Heat dominated on the glass, 50-34, in Game 3, including pulling down 20 offensive boards. Philadelphia is going to have a tough time avoiding a sweep of they can’t find someone besides Brand to battle inside and box out James and Wade crashing the glass from the wings.

LAST WORD: The 76ers have attempted 54 free throws through the first three games while the Heat have gone to the line 98 times, converting 78.

Boston Celtics at New York (+3.5, 195)

THE STORY: The Boston Celtics attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the New York Knicks when the two teams meet at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Boston put on a dominant showing during Friday’s Game 3 victory in New York after winning two close games on its home court. The Celtics led by as many as 23 points during the 113-96 victory that seemed to sap the excitement out of the Knicks and their fans. The Knicks never once led during Game 3, which was their first home playoff game since 2004. New York is well aware of the uphill climb it faces as no NBA team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Allen is averaging 24.7 points and has connected on 15 of 20 3-point shots in the series. New York guard Landry Fields is averaging two points and has made just 3 of 12 shots.

KEY STATISTIC: Boston shot 58.3 percent from 3-point range in Game 3, hitting 14 of 24 attempts.

LAST WORD: “I’m worried about getting him right and healthy. There’s no strategical game plan for not playing him. There’s a medical game plan for not playing him and he can’t play. Once he can play, he can play.” – Celtics coach Doc Rivers on the status of injured center Shaquille O’Neal.

Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks (+2, 179)

THE STORY: Tensions figure to be high when the Atlanta Hawks host the Orlando Magic in Sunday’s pivotal Game 4 of the highly competitive playoff series. Atlanta took a 2-1 lead with Friday’s 88-84 victory in a contest that featured the ejections of Orlando’s Jason Richardson and Atlanta’s Zaza Pachulia. The skirmish began after Pachulia fouled Dwight Howard late in the fourth quarter. As Richardson moved in close to Pachulia’s face, Pachulia responded with a head-butt and Richardson countered with a slap in the face. The incident will likely lead to the suspension of both players for Game 4. The most painful blow for Orlando was when Atlanta’s Jamal Crawford hit a 3-point bank shot to make it a two-possession contest with 5.7 seconds left. Crawford scored a game-high 23 points.

WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Crawford is averaging 23.7 points in the series with a high game of 25. Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu is averaging just 8.3 points and shooting 25 percent (9 of 36) in the series.

KEY STATISTIC: Orlando guards Jameer Nelson (5 of 17), Jason Richardson (4 of 10) and J.J. Redick (3 of 8) shot a combined 34.3 percent in the Magic’s Game 3 loss.

LAST WORD: “I didn’t call ‘bank.’ The bank is closed right now. I just wanted to get to my sweet spot. I felt like it had a chance. We felt like this was the most important game of the series. The pressure is on them now.” – Crawford on his amazing 3-point basket that helped the Hawks defeat Orlando in Game 3.

Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Hornets (+5.5, 182.5)

THE STORY: Suddenly this series takes on a sense of desperation for New Orleans. The Hornets are feeling the loss of David West as they fell to Los Angeles 100-86 in Game 3 Friday night. Los Angeles had its best performance of the postseason, getting strong scoring performances from Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum and limiting New Orleans to 2-of-13 shooting from 3-point range. The Lakers can take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series Sunday night in New Orleans.

WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Gasol led a 10-1 run in the fourth quarter with seven points and made just his second 3-pointer of the season. New Orleans guard Marco Belinelli scored just five points, going 2 of 8 from the field in 22 minutes.

KEY STATISTIC: The Hornets had 39 bench points in Game 1 but reserves are just 9 of 34 for 22 points in the last two games.

LAST WORD: “I hate losing. I hate everything about it. It just makes everything bad — food, don't sleep well. Just the fact that we lost, just bothers me.” – Williams.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pick 'n' Roll

Sunday's Best NBA Bets

Orlando Magic (-2, 179) at Atlanta Hawks

Yeah, no one has any idea who is going to guard Dwight Howard now.

The Magic center was averaging nearly 40 points and 20 rebounds per game entering Game 3 in Atlanta.

In that tilt, the Hawks finally managed to slow him down, holding him to 21 points and 15 rebounds as he battled foul trouble. But now, there should be little to challenge him from dominating the paint.

The Hawks will miss suspended center Zaza Pachulia who got into an altercation with also-suspended Magic swingman Jason Richardson. His low-post defense frustrated Howard and was the only Atlanta forward who could really slow anyone down.

And the team also will likely be missing the combined 12 fouls of centers Jason Collins and Etan Thomas. Collins, the starting center, bruised a tailbone and had to leave late in Game 3. Thomas, meantime, is dealing with the death of his grandmother and is unlikely to be back in time.

"I don't think people understand it," Howard said. "But I just continue to go out there and do what I can to help my team win. I have to do a lot for my team. They do a lot for me. It goes both ways. I understand how important it is for me to come out and play as hard as I can."

It should be easier for him to play harder with Atlanta’s first three lines of defense out of the lineup.

Pick: Orlando

Boston Celtics (-3.5, 195) at New York Knicks

The Knicks may have pride, but not likely much else for Game 4 against the Celtics as they try to stave off elimination.

Think New York fans will want to shell out four figures for tickets after the way their team laid down and was destroyed on Friday night? Not likely. And the players know it. Guard Chauncey Billups is presumed shut down for the series and Amar’e Stoudemire, who went 2-for-8 from the floor for seven points with just three rebounds in Game 3, is again listed as questionable.

“It started with the offensive rebounds and the second-chance points,” said Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni. “You can’t give them that big an opening that they can smell the blood.”

With a less-than-juiced Madison Square Garden and his body starting to break down from the monster minutes he has played this year, Stoudemire is almost certain to sit out the game.

"If I feel better tomorrow, then we’ll see how it goes," he said. "If not, then hopefully we still can get a win."

And regardless of Stoudemire’s status, don’t expect Boston to be lacking for motivation.

“When they cheer, I feel like they’re cheering for me. I just look at it that way,” said Pierce. “I don’t ever feel like I’m not at home. You can feed off of it, or you can let it scare you. You have to find ways to psych yourself out and use it for energy, especially when you have tough road crowds.”

Pick: Boston

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL News and Notes Sunday 4/24
Blackhawks collide with Canucks
By: Adam Markowitz

Last season, the Boston Bruins were the team that choked away a 3-0 lead in the playoffs when they were beaten by the eventual Eastern Conference champs, the Philadelphia Flyers. We're not quite at the choking stage yet, but the Vancouver Canucks have definitely at least thought about lifting their hands up to their own necks after losing Games 4 and 5 to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Game 6 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals drops the puck at 4:30 p.m. (PT) on Easter Sunday at Chicago's United Center.

The first three games of this series found the Canucks always looking like the better team, but not necessarily the dominating one. They were able to score victories by grinding and doing all of the little things that a team that tallied 117 points in the regular season should be doing.

Roberto Luongo was fantastic in net, posting a shutout in Game 1, and coming up with respectable performances in Games 2 and 3, allowing five goals between those two games. Daniel Sedin had three goals and two assists in three games, while Henrik Sedin had four assists.

Ryan Kesler had a pair of points as well, and Jannik Hansen was a hero with a pair of goals.

Meanwhile, Chicago really hadn't gotten anything yet out of any of its stars. Corey Crawford had a GAA right around 3.00, Marian Hossa couldn't find his way onto the stat sheet, and there were a minimal number of players that had more than one point to show for their work in three games.

Apparently getting their backs pushed squarely up against the wall was just what the doctor ordered for the Blackhawks, though.

Despite the fact that they are going up against the best team in hockey, at least in terms of the regular season, Chicago manned up and smacked the Canucks in the mouth twice Down three-zip, the Blackhawks came away with wins of 7-2 and 5-0 in Games 4 and 5 respectively, much to the delight of their NHL betting fans.

Suddenly, the stats have evened out. Henrik Sedin hasn't had a point since Game 3. Daniel Sedin only has one meaningless goal. Kesler has just one assist since that point. Hansen hasn't been heard from. Luongo has been run out of the building twice to the point that it was still a wonder until Friday morning whether he would even get the nod in Game 6 or not.

Things look a lot different for the Blackhawks as well. Duncan Keith now has six points, making him one of the top scorers this postseason, while Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp had five points apiece. Hossa has finally made his grand entrance into this series with two goals on Thursday.

Crawford has enjoyed two straight great outings as well, including posting his first career postseason shutout in Game 5 on the road. The only big name that hasn't lit the lamp yet for Chicago is Jonathan Toews, and even he has three assists.

It was only a few days ago which you could have gotten the Blackhawks at plus 120 to win Game 4 on their home ice in the Windy City. Now, that has totally flipped, as the defending champs are minus 120 to extend this series to a seventh and decisive game next week back in British Columbia.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL News and Notes Sunday 4/24
On the Brink
By Judd Hall


Just when you think you’ve got the NHL figured out, the Stanley Cup Playoffs come around and screw you up. Only the Red Wings have officially punched their ticket to the second round before Saturday’s games. Detroit closed that series with the Coyotes out on the road, which should shock anybody. What should surprise the masses is the fact that the visitors are 21-14 in the first round of the postseason.

Sunday’s card has three games on the board with two road teams hoping that winning trend continues. The other visiting side will be aiming to close out its series on enemy ice. Let’s give a quick look at all of the matchups.

Flyers at Sabres

I said before the playoffs began that this was the most evenly matched series in the first round of the postseason. I even mentioned on Friday that the Sabres needed to get a more varied offensive attack if they hoped to draw the lead in this series. They must have been listening to me (I can dream, right?) as Tyler Ennis and Marc-Andre Gragnani scored goals with Thomas Vanek for a 4-3 OT stunner in Philly. The Youngster Ennis coming through with the sudden death clincher just over five minutes into the extra frame.

As bad as the loss was for Philadelphia, they did fight back from a 3-0 deficit after the first period to force overtime. I’ll grant you that that is a hollow victory, but they appear to have found a starting netminder from the trash heap. A guy the Flyers have had success with in the past, Michael Leighton. Philly’s new goalie stopped 20-of-21 shots on goal in Game 5. But the Flyers realize this is a guy with ice water in his veins. He guided this same club to an epic series win against the Bruins last year en route to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Sabres come into this contest as $1.25 home favorites (risk $125 to win $100) with a total of 5 ½. Philly was a tough out last season in the playoffs. However, they are 1-3 straight up and 3-1 on the puck line in its last four games as a road underdog this season. The ‘over’ is 3-1 in that stretch. Meanwhile, Buffalo is 5-1 SU and 3-3 PL in its last six as a home “chalk,” with the ‘over’ going 4-2. The Sabres have posted a 4-2 SU and 1-5 PL in their past six games to clinch a postseason series.

Ducks at Predators

Momentum is a fickle lady in the playoffs.

The Ducks found that out all too well on Friday night. Anaheim was able to salvage a split at Bridgestone Arena without Bobby Ryan on hand. Ryan was back from his suspension for Game 5, scoring one of the nastiest playoff goals I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately for the Quack Attack, their defense was once again a liability as Nashville’s Shea Weber scored the equalizer in the final minute of regulation. It didn’t get better in overtime as the Ducks’ defense look like kids field tee-ball, leaving Jerred Smithson all alone to score the game winner in a 4-3 decision.

Nashville now finds itself with the momentum that they thought was lost after getting the gift that was Ryan’s suspension. But things can change for any team in the blink of an eye. Before Friday night’s game, the Predators were 0-5 in Game 5 of their past playoff series. And this is the first time the can clinch a spot in the Western Conference Semifinals.

It would appear that the oddsmakers are overcompensating on the line for this game, listing the Preds as $1.45 home faves with a total of 5 ½. However, Nashville was -140 in Game 3 (a win) and -150 in Game 4 (a bad, bad loss) of this series. Anaheim is a tough team to knock out, evidenced by a 5-3 SU and PL mark in playoff elimination games. The ‘under’ was 4-3-1 in those matches. Yet you have reason to be optimistic for the Preds in this game as they’re 7-0 SU and 6-1 PL as home favorites coming off of a win as road pups this season. The ‘over’ is 4-2-1 in that stretch.

Canucks at Blackhawks

Remember when the Canucks looked like a Presidents’ Trophy winner on the verge of a crushing sweep of the defending Stanley Cup champs? It’s a vague memory, but I can still picture it.

Vancouver was absolutely dominating in the first three games of this series. Games 4 and 5 have been a nightmare for the Canucks as Chicago has outscored them 12-2 in this comeback effort. A lot of the blame can be placed squarely on Roberto Luongo’s shoulders. The Vezina Trophy finalist has allowed 10 goals on 40 shots in his last two starts. The only thing worse is he seems full second slower than the Blackhawks when they’re on the attack.

Ryan Kesler should have his photo up on a milk carton because he’s been missing in this series. In the first three games, Kesler had two assists and 21 shots on goal. Since then, he’s had one helper and attempted just four SOG. He is vital to the offensive depth for the Canucks, so they need him to step up.

Chicago’s defense has been stellar in the last two games, but it’s the offense that is just smothering the competition. The Blackhawks have seen eight different skaters light the lamp in Games 4 and 5. Duncan Keith has led the way with three goals, but Marian Hossa is right behind with two scores in Game 5.

So are we going to see this series head to a Game 7 at Rogers Arena? The betting shops are thinking we will by making Chicago a $1.25 home favorite with a total of 5½. It’s just the second time they’re favored in the series, losing 3-2 in Game 3. Vancouver has gone 1-2 SU and PL in its last three games this season after a losing two games in a row. However, the Blackhawks are just 1-4 SU and 0-5 PL in their last five games as home faves.

 

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What Bettors Need to Know: Sunday NHL Playoffs

Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks (-121, 5.5)

THE STORY: A sudden and troubling collapse has the Vancouver Canucks scrambling to close out their Western Conference first-round series with the red-hot Chicago Blackhawks. Vancouver burst out to a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven set but has been outscored 12-2 in consecutive losses as the scene shifts back to Chicago for Game 6 on Sunday.

WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Keith had just seven goals in 82 games in the regular season, but already has four in five games so far in the series. Canucks F Ryan Kesler is headed in the opposite direction, still looking for his first goal of the playoffs after scoring 41 times during the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Both clubs have been potent with the man advantage. Vancouver is third at 28.6 percent (4 for 14) while the Blackhawks are sixth at an even 25 percent (6 for 24).

LAST WORD: "Momentum is overrated. When it was 3-0 everybody said we had momentum and they came out and took it to us, so at the end of the day it’s just about us playing our game and being ready right off the hop." – Luongo

Anaheim Ducks at Nashville Predators (-140, 5.5)

THE STORY: The Anaheim-Nashville series has had more twists and turns than any other first-round playoff matchup. The Predators hope Sunday will prove to the the final act as they host the Ducks in Game 6. Nashville stunned Anaheim by rallying late for a 3-2 win in Game 5, seizing a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series.

WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Weber has points in four of the five games in the series and is tied for the team lead in goals (three). Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf combined for just four shots in Game 5 after taking 10 in Anaheim's Game 4 triumph.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Anaheim continues to dominate with the man advantage, firing at a league-best 35-percent conversion rate (7 for 20). Nashville is at 21.7 percent (5 for 23).

LAST WORD: Despite the numerous lead changes throughout the series, one factor has held true. The team that scores first is a perfect 5-0 so far.

Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres (-120, 5.5)

THE STORY: The Buffalo Sabres proved they can win a postseason game without Ryan Miller posting a shutout. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner stopped 36 of 39 shots on Friday, but Tyler Ennis proved to be the story this time around. The rookie scored his second goal of the contest just 5:31 into overtime as the seventh-seeded Sabres rebounded after squandering a three-goal lead to secure a 4-3 road triumph over the Atlantic Division champion Flyers in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Buffalo, which now leads the series 3-2, will look to eliminate second-seeded Philadelphia on Sunday in western New York.

WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Ennis has three goals and five assists in his last seven contests. Briere has five goals and three assists in his last seven games.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Philadelphia failed to score on all five power-play chances in Game 5 and is now 2-for-26 in the series. For its part, Buffalo went 1-for-3 on the power play in Game 5 and is 4-for-22 in the series.

LAST WORD: Leighton took over for Boucher in Game 5 of last year's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Bruins. The netminder helped the Flyers complete their historic comeback against the Bruins and propelled his club to a Stanley Cup Finals berth.

 

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Ice Picks

Sunday's Best NHL Bets

Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres (-120,5.5)

The Philadelphia Flyers have no shortage of problems heading to upstate New York.
Forward Jeff Carter and defender Chris Pronger are expected to miss the rest of the series with various injuries. Pronger has yet to make his playoff debut, but remains one of the best at his position.

Meantime, Carter is a much bigger loss as he put up 36 goals and 30 assists during the regular season.

Winger Andreas Nodl also is expected to miss the game with a head injury.

"We prepare the same way, no matter who's in the lineup," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said. "We don't change everything because [someone] comes out."

Well the Flyers better try something different.

The team fell behind 3-0 in Game 5 on home ice before ultimately losing in overtime. The shaky goaltending of Brian Boucher may force a change between the pipes, but the team isn’t showing its hand just yet.

On the other bench, Buffalo is sitting pretty with goaltender Ryan Miller, who appears to have regained his Olympic form the past few games.

"I don't think we've really shown our best game yet," Miller said. "We've had our moments, we've certainly been battling, but I don't think it's our best yet. We're certainly going to need it."

They should finally get that game Sunday afternoon.

Pick: Buffalo

Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks (-121, 5.5)

The Blackhawks will try to keep making history as they attempt to continue their comeback from an 0-3 hole against the Vancouver Canucks. And they appear to again have the number of goaltender Roberto Luongo.

The Canadian keeper has been yanked in each of the past two games as he has been shelled for 12 goals on just 40 shots his past two games.

"There's ups and downs in the playoffs,” Luongo said. “The key is, we've got to stay composed here. Obviously, you don't want to get caught in these situations but we've got to take a deep breath here and relax a little bit. I think it's a good thing we've got a couple of days to re-group here as a team and just get back to doing what we do best."

But that will be tough against the Blackhawks, who have taken Games 4 and 5 by a combined score of 12-2 and are playing arguably their best hockey of the year. The team has been sparked by the return of center Dave Bolland. Since he returned in Game 4, he has four points, and the Canucks, top line of Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Alexandre Burrows have combined for only one goal and are minus-11.

Look for Bolland and the Blackhawks to keep the Canucks on their heels.

Pick: Chicago

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB News and Notes Sunday 4/24
St. Louis Cardinals host Cincinnati Reds
By: Stephen Nover

Cincinnati and St. Louis have become the National League Central Division version of the Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees rivalry.

Certainly there is no love lost when the Reds and Cardinals meet as they will Sunday night in the finale of a three-game series. ESPN will televise the matchup beginning at 5:00 p.m. (PT).

Things became really bitter and heated between the two clubs last year when the Reds captured their first division title since 1995.

Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips made some incendiary comments about the Cardinals, which may have set in motion a bench-clearing brawl last August in Cincinnati. During that brawl, Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto kicked Cardinals backup catcher Jason LaRue in the head. The injury ended LaRue’s career.

Cueto is on the disabled list and the Cardinals really can’t risk a fight since they already have six players on the DL. But the atmosphere is sure to be high-charged for this nationally televised matchup.

Already there is bad blood this season with one report saying Reds outfielder Jonny Gomes sang in celebration during spring training when finding out that Cardinals ace right-hander Adam Wainwright is out for the season with a major elbow injury. Gomes strongly denied that report.

Some Cardinal fans have picked up on Reds pitcher Mike Leake recently being arrested for shoplifting by wearing t-shirts that read, “Mike Leake Stole this Shirt For Me.”

Cincinnati is a growing power with a number of rising young players. The Cardinals’ key players are older and the team is more banged-up than the Reds.

Still, the Cardinals have owned the Reds through the years especially at Busch Stadium where they have gone 25-10 versus Cincinnati the last 35 times through this past Friday.

The Reds have been far less intimidating away from Great American Ball Park dropping 16 of their last 23 road contests through this past Friday. They were 3-14 in their last 17 games versus foes with a winning mark.

St. Louis took 12 of 18 games from the Reds in last year. The Cardinals are 7-1 during the past eight meetings between the two clubs entering the weekend.

Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday are heating up after slow starts, which is bad news for Reds pitcher Sam LeCure, who will be making his fourth start of the season.

Pujols went into the series batting .351 with five homers and 10 RBIs in his last nine games, while Holliday was hitting .538 during his past seven games. Holliday feasted on Reds pitching batting .483 with two homers and 12 RBIs during the last nine times he faced the Reds in 2010.

LeCure, a 26-year-old righty, surrendered four homers in his last start, a 5-4 loss to Arizona this past Tuesday. LeCure gave up five earned runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings losing as a 150 home favorite against Armando Galarraga. The combined nine runs dipped ‘under’ the 9 ½-run total.

LeCure was dynamic in his first two starts with 14 strikeouts compared to only eight hits and walks combined. However, he faced a pair of weak offenses in Houston and San Diego at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. He didn’t receive a decision in either of those games despite allowing just three earned runs in 11 innings.

The Cardinals didn’t decide on their probable Sunday starter until late Friday night choosing to go with righty Jake Westbrook on three days rest.

Westbrook is 1-2 with a 9.82 ERA in four starts this season. He had his shortest outing in five years during his last start, giving up seven runs in three innings to Washington this past Wednesday.

Westbrook lost, 8-6, as a 145 home favorite against the Nationals’ John Lannan. The combined 14 runs flew ‘over’ the 8 ½-run total.

The ‘over’ is 7-3-1 in St. Louis’ last 11 games going into this weekend. The ‘under’ is 11-4-1, though, during the Cardinals’ last 16 home contests.

Weather played a factor in St. Louis' Friday night win to open the series, and could once again play a factor Sunday when the forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of rain.

John Hirschbeck is the scheduled plate arbiter with the 'under' cashing twice in his previous four dish assignments this season along with one 'push.' The 28-year veteran was 17-13-1 to the low side in 2010.

 

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MLB News and Notes Sunday 4/24
Reds at Cardinals Betting Preview
By Colin Kelly

National League Central rivals collide under the Sunday night spotlight on ESPN, when the Cardinals host the Reds to wrap up a three-game weekend set in the first series of the year between these two teams. Let’s take a look at how this matchup shapes up:

ONE-SIDED RIVALRY

St. Louis has been the better side recently in this rivalry, winning seven of the last eight meetings, dating to last June. In last year’s 18 meetings, the Cards went 12-6.

The Redbirds opened this weekend with a 4-2 victory Friday night in a game delayed more than 2 hours by rain and a tornado warning. On Saturday, in another game that had a weather delay,

The Cardinals also sport a 42-17 mark against Cincinnati in the last 59 clashes at Busch Stadium.

TAKING IT TO JAKE

Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook would probably like to have a do-over for the first month of the 2011 season. The 33-year-old righthander is 1-2 with a beefy 9.82 ERA in four starts.

In his season debut April 2, Westbrook got tagged for eight runs (all earned) on six hits, with five walks in just 4.1 innings of an 11-3 shellacking at home against San Diego. Six days later, he settled down a bit with a no-decision in a 5-4 loss at San Francisco.

On April 13 at Arizona, he got his first win but still allowed five runs (two earned) in 5.1 innings of a 15-5 victory. Then last Wednesday, he went south again, lasting just three innings at home against the Nationals. He gave up seven runs (all earned) on seven hits, and the Cards lost 8-6.

By comparison, Reds starter Sam LeCure’s stats look lofty. The 27-year-old righty (0-1) is still seeking his first win as he toes the slab for his fourth start (fifth appearance) this season, but he’s got a more manageable 4.15 ERA. LeCure has just one career appearance against the Redbirds, and it was at Busch Stadium. He came up short in a 4-1 road loss last June in which he allowed three runs on six hits in 5.1 innings, with four walks and four strikeouts.

Cincinnati is just 2-6 in LeCure’s last eight starts overall.

Westbrook has a slightly larger body of work against Cincinnati. In five appearances (four starts), he’s 1-1 with a respectable 3.86 ERA.

RUNNING HOT, RUNNING COLD

The Cardinals (11-10) and Reds (11-10) are both playing middling baseball so far this season, but St. Louis has several positive streaks heading into this contest, while the Reds have a handful of negative omens.

St. Louis has won seven of its last nine overall and is on additional runs of 5-1 against righty starters, 39-19 at home against right-handers and 13-3 on Sunday.

On the flip side, Cincy is on purges of 1-5 overall, 1-5 in the NL Central, 7-16 on the highway, 8-20 against winning teams, 18-42 in roadies against winning teams, 1-5 against right-handed starters and 2-7 on the road against righty starters.

GETTING OVER ON THE UNDER

The under has been the play recently in this rivalry, particularly in St. Louis, which has hosted the past four games. The total has gone low in four of the last five overall and four of the last five at Busch Stadium.

Furthermore, for the Reds, the under has hit in four straight against right-handed starters and is 29-15-9 in Cincy’s last 52 Sunday outings, and the Cards sport under streaks of 6-3 at home, 4-0 on Sunday, 5-1-1 in division play and 5-2 at home against righty starters.

However, the over is 8-3-1 in the Redbirds’ last 11 games overall, and as noted above, Westbrook has been giving up more than his share of runs lately, with the total going high in each of his four starts this year.

 

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Sunday's Best MLB Picks

Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants (-130, 7.5)

The Braves simply aren’t getting out of San Francisco with a sweep, especially not with Brandon Beachy on the bump.

Beachy, a rookie righthander, pitched well in his last outing, a 10-1 win over the Dodgers on Tuesday. But he’s yet to put together back-to-back quality starts.

The Giants counter with Jonathan Sanchez, who has not fared well over his career vs. the Braves, who are hitting .333 as a team against the Giants’ hard-throwing lefthander.

The Braves took the first two games of the series, including beating Giants’ ace Tim Lincecum on Saturday. But beating the World Champions three straight
with Beachy on the mound seems unlikely.

Pick: Giants

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs (-121)

We’re expecting the opposite of what we saw at Wrigley Field on Saturday. The Cubs won a 10-8 wind-aided shootout, but those winds have changed.

Gusts of up to 20 mph blowing out to right field helped power the 18-run explosion on Saturday. But a sturdy breeze is expected to be blowing in from straight-away center field for Sunday’s game, featuring starters Carlos Zambrano for the Cubs and Hiroki Kuroda for the Dodgers.

Zambrano is coming off one of his best starts in years. He threw eight scoreless innings in a dominating 1-0 victory over San Diego on Monday. He’s 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in his last two starts against the Dodgers.

Kuroda boasts a miniscule 0.59 ERA in his last two starts against the Cubs.

Pick: Under

 

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DCI NBA

Season
Straight Up: 822-357 (.697)
ATS: 615-615 (.500)
ATS Vary Units: 1453-1463 (.498)
Over/Under: 635-611 (.510)
Over/Under Vary Units: 765-747 (.506)

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game 4, best-of-7
Miami 98, PHILADELPHIA 93
NEW YORK 99, Boston 98
Orlando vs. ATLANTA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Game 4, best-of-7
L.A. Lakers 94, NEW ORLEANS 92

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NHL

Season: 387-294 (.568)

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game 6, best-of-7
BUFFALO 3, Philadelphia 2
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Game 6, best-of-7
Vancouver vs. CHICAGO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Anaheim vs. NASHVILLE: TOO CLOSE TO CALL

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Today's NBA Picks

Boston at New York

The Celtics look to close out the series and build on their 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 playoff games as a favorite from 1 to 4 1/2 points. Boston is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Celtics favored by 5. Dunkel Pick: Boston (-2 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.
<table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4"><tbody><tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt; width: 564px;" height="17">SUNDAY, APRIL 24
Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="564" height="17">Game 501-502: Miami at Philadelphia (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 124.648; Philadelphia 119.474
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 5; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 6; 188 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+6); Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="564" height="17">Game 503-504: Boston at New York (3:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 121.855; New York 116.726
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 5; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 2 1/2; 195
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-2 1/2); Under</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="564" height="17">Game 505-506: Orlando at Atlanta (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 119.774; Atlanta 119.990
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 173
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 2; 178 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+2); Under</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="564" height="17">Game 507-508: LA Lakers at New Orleans (9:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 124.824; New Orleans 117.808
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 7; 187
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 5 1/2; 182 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-5 1/2); Over</td> </tr> <tr> </tr></tbody></table>