The Duke's Sports
Memphis (+2) for 2 Units
Memphis matches well against San Antonio and in some areas even more dominant; for example, I'll take Gasol and Randolph any day of the week over McDyess and Jefferson. And Memphis has solid contributions coming off the bench with Battier and Mayo, and even Arthur stepped up his game. The Grizzlies have now covered 8 straight in this series and we'll take the bucket. Tonight, I expect Parker and Ginobili to be slashing to the basket after the Spurs bricked from the perimeter in Game 3. But Memphis' defense well schooled and tough at home. Spurs are on an 0-4 ATS slide as a playoff favorite and just 1-7 ATS following a SU loss. We'll stay on the Grizzlies, which are 20-8 ATS at home and keeping an even keel on where they stand in the series.
Memphis (+2) for 2 Units
Memphis matches well against San Antonio and in some areas even more dominant; for example, I'll take Gasol and Randolph any day of the week over McDyess and Jefferson. And Memphis has solid contributions coming off the bench with Battier and Mayo, and even Arthur stepped up his game. The Grizzlies have now covered 8 straight in this series and we'll take the bucket. Tonight, I expect Parker and Ginobili to be slashing to the basket after the Spurs bricked from the perimeter in Game 3. But Memphis' defense well schooled and tough at home. Spurs are on an 0-4 ATS slide as a playoff favorite and just 1-7 ATS following a SU loss. We'll stay on the Grizzlies, which are 20-8 ATS at home and keeping an even keel on where they stand in the series.
Kevin Rogers
Blue Jays at Rangers
Pick: Blue Jays +137
The Rangers are coming off a sweep of the Royals at home as Texas welcomes in Toronto. The Jays lost the final two games of their series to the Rays, as Toronto sends out second-year pitcher Kyle Drabek to the mound. Toronto is 4-0 in Drabek's starts this season, while being listed at the biggest underdog price this season. Colby Lewis has struggled to find the form of last season, owning a 5.82 ERA, while allowing nine runs the last two starts (both losses). Both teams are 6-1 in series openers, while the Blue Jays took seven of nine meetings last season. I'll take the Jays here to beat the Rangers
Blue Jays at Rangers
Pick: Blue Jays +137
The Rangers are coming off a sweep of the Royals at home as Texas welcomes in Toronto. The Jays lost the final two games of their series to the Rays, as Toronto sends out second-year pitcher Kyle Drabek to the mound. Toronto is 4-0 in Drabek's starts this season, while being listed at the biggest underdog price this season. Colby Lewis has struggled to find the form of last season, owning a 5.82 ERA, while allowing nine runs the last two starts (both losses). Both teams are 6-1 in series openers, while the Blue Jays took seven of nine meetings last season. I'll take the Jays here to beat the Rangers
John Chang
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES +1.5 over San Antonio Spurs, 20 dimes
Maybe it's the age of the Spurs, maybe it's their overconfidence, or maybe, just maybe, the Grizzlies are this good. Memphis has continued their strong play at home, posting another win ATS and SU last game against the Spurs. I understand the situation, but the idea of giving this team points at home is crazy in my mind. They've compiled one of the best home records this season, they're 27-14 ATS as hosts, and they're 28-11 this season in the underdog role. They're catching a point here against a San Antonio squad that has yet to cover the number this postseason. The Grizzlies have played to their strengths, and that's working the ball down low to Gasol and Randolph. But we can't discount the value of their guards and role players, these guys are the glue that holds this system in place. They've bought into the team concept, and I expect them to continue to shock the Spurs tonight. The Spurs are taking a shot in the arm with the veteran Antonio McDyess suffering a neck injury, and if that isn't enough, the crowd at FedEx Forum has been absolutely electric. The home court advantage should continue to rattle the Spurs three point shooting, which has been their advantage over teams all year long. Take the home dog here.
DALLAS MAVERICKS -5 over Portland Trail Blazers, 10 dimes
I'm not quite buying into the Dallas curse yet. This team still has all of the pieces it needs to make another run to the Western Conference Finals. They have an experienced, sharpshooting point guard. They have a star in Dirk Nowitzki. They have fantastic role players. And they still have 2 of 3 games being played on their home court. Remember, the home team has won all eight matchups between these teams this season, and Dallas is on an ATS tear, covering in 8 straight games. Memories of their epic Finals meltdown a few years ago still remains fresh in the minds of basketball fans, but they are clearly the more talented team in this series, and I very much see them controlling this game from start to finish. Lay the wood guys.
LA ANGELS/Oakland Athletics under 6.5 runs (-105), 5 dimes
Here's a nice pitching matchup that should lead to a boring, runless game. Jered Weaver does not need much of an introduction. He's been compiling stats that are Hall of Fame worthy, and it appears that he isn't planning on slowing down anytime soon. Gio Gonzales hasn't been throwing bad either, as he's boasting a slim 1.80 ERA with a respectable WHIP of about 1.300. Both of these hurlers match up extremely well against the opposition in this one, and the Angels have scored a whopping total of 3 runs across their last 3 games. LA's home games this year have gone over the total only once. We can expect a 3-2 game out west tonight.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES +1.5 over San Antonio Spurs, 20 dimes
Maybe it's the age of the Spurs, maybe it's their overconfidence, or maybe, just maybe, the Grizzlies are this good. Memphis has continued their strong play at home, posting another win ATS and SU last game against the Spurs. I understand the situation, but the idea of giving this team points at home is crazy in my mind. They've compiled one of the best home records this season, they're 27-14 ATS as hosts, and they're 28-11 this season in the underdog role. They're catching a point here against a San Antonio squad that has yet to cover the number this postseason. The Grizzlies have played to their strengths, and that's working the ball down low to Gasol and Randolph. But we can't discount the value of their guards and role players, these guys are the glue that holds this system in place. They've bought into the team concept, and I expect them to continue to shock the Spurs tonight. The Spurs are taking a shot in the arm with the veteran Antonio McDyess suffering a neck injury, and if that isn't enough, the crowd at FedEx Forum has been absolutely electric. The home court advantage should continue to rattle the Spurs three point shooting, which has been their advantage over teams all year long. Take the home dog here.
DALLAS MAVERICKS -5 over Portland Trail Blazers, 10 dimes
I'm not quite buying into the Dallas curse yet. This team still has all of the pieces it needs to make another run to the Western Conference Finals. They have an experienced, sharpshooting point guard. They have a star in Dirk Nowitzki. They have fantastic role players. And they still have 2 of 3 games being played on their home court. Remember, the home team has won all eight matchups between these teams this season, and Dallas is on an ATS tear, covering in 8 straight games. Memories of their epic Finals meltdown a few years ago still remains fresh in the minds of basketball fans, but they are clearly the more talented team in this series, and I very much see them controlling this game from start to finish. Lay the wood guys.
LA ANGELS/Oakland Athletics under 6.5 runs (-105), 5 dimes
Here's a nice pitching matchup that should lead to a boring, runless game. Jered Weaver does not need much of an introduction. He's been compiling stats that are Hall of Fame worthy, and it appears that he isn't planning on slowing down anytime soon. Gio Gonzales hasn't been throwing bad either, as he's boasting a slim 1.80 ERA with a respectable WHIP of about 1.300. Both of these hurlers match up extremely well against the opposition in this one, and the Angels have scored a whopping total of 3 runs across their last 3 games. LA's home games this year have gone over the total only once. We can expect a 3-2 game out west tonight.
