Service Plays Monday 4/26/10

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

New Addition to Service Play Forum..Specifically for posting additional topics.

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..

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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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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pick 'n' Roll: Today's best NBA bets

Orlando Magic at Charlotte Bobcats (+4, 184)

Of all the weapons on Orlando’s roster, who would have thought that Jameer Nelson would be the one killing the Bobcats?

Charlotte is doing an admirable job containing Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard but Nelson has been able to get his shot almost at will.

That’s got to be painful for Charlotte coach Larry Brown, who has a reputation for being hard on his point guards. But it’s not like Bobcats playmaker Raymond Felton doesn’t deserve an earful.

Felton, who was once considered the quickest guard in the nation back in his days as a Tar Heel, isn’t always a step slow guarding Nelson.

The Magic’s guard is outscored Felton 77-36 so far this postseason.

“Jameer dominated the game. Again,” Brown told reporters following the 88-86 setback in Game 3.

The Heat avoided a four-game sweep on Sunday and you could expect a similar result on Monday.

While the Bobcats are going to pull off any type of 3-0 comeback reminiscent ’04 Red Sox, they’re still desperate to gain their first playoff victory in franchise history.

Pick: Bobcats


Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks (+1.5, 190)

The Hawks should thinking about switching up whatever routine they have on the road.

Atlanta, which has gone 19-22, 16-25 and 12-29 away from home in the past three regular seasons, dropped its ninth playoff road game in its last 10 tries.

The latest setback came Saturday night in Milwaukee. The star-less Bucks dismantled the Hawks 107-89.

“If we’re going to be one of the top teams and get where we think we’re going to go, we have to start handling our business on the road,” Hawks big man Al Horford told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The Atlanta newspaper also reported that the Hawks are being outscored by an average of almost 26 points in their last nine playoff road losses.

“The good teams, they figure it out,” coach Mike Woodson said. “We’ve been a growing team, but we’re not where I think we should be. Knowing you can go get one on the road — that’s the next major step.”

Expect the Hawks to come out with more urgency at the defensive end and leave Milwaukee with a 3-1 series lead.

Pick: Atlanta

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Game of the day: Trail Blazers at Suns

Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns (-6, 202)

What appeared to be a one-sided series is tied 2-2 after four games. Both teams have won on the road and Brandon Roy’s return could change everything.

Roy to the rescue

Brandon Roy's mere presence was a huge factor in his first game back. He didn't start but he buried a huge 3-pointer with just under 5 minutes to play that gave the Blazers a six-point lead. They never trailed again.

Roy was a major question mark heading into the series. Some felt he could return if Portland survived the first round while others thought he was lost for the entire postseason.

Roy had arthroscopic knee surgery to repair torn cartilage just eight days before returning to the court. When he entered the game as a reserve in the first quarter the Blazers played the theme from Rocky.

Roy said he expects to regain his shooting form as the series progresses.

“I’d certainly say it gave them a lift,” Suns guard Steve Nash said. “More than anything it just gave everyone a boost in their spirit and attitude. That was good for the crowd and good for his teammates to have him out there.”

Pace makes the race

In both of Portland’s victories this series, the Blazers have held the Suns to four fast break points. Transition defense is always important against the up-tempo Suns.

The Suns have 28 fast break points in their two wins in this series.

Nash will have to step up in Game 5. He has posted double-figures in assists in both Suns’ victories and totals of six and eight assists in their losses. Nash turned the ball over six times last game and never got his teammates into any offensive flow. His performance Monday will be critical.

Series recap

Teams that win Game 5 of the series that is tied after four games win the series 83 percent of the time. That makes this one critical for both sides but even more so for Phoenix, which could have virtually ended things on Saturday.

The Suns might have been a bit overconfident heading into this series and Portland shocked Phoenix in Game 1. The Suns immediately responded to blow out the Blazers by 19 points in the next two games.

The Suns are the highest scoring team in the NBA and Portland seems intent on not letting them get out and run. They’ve tried to clamp down on Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire but they let Jason Richardson go off for 42 points in the process and trailed by as many as 31 points in Thursday’s loss.

With their backs against the wall, LaMarcus Aldridge scored 31 points and the Blazers pulled out Game 4. They are surely rejuvenated with Roy’s return.

“As soon as he checked into the game, I got my first open shot with nobody guarding me, so I was thinking thank God he’s back,” Aldridge told reporters.

Said Stoudemire: “We didn’t bring the effort, we didn’t bring the energy, we didn’t rebound, we didn’t attack. We had a chance to go up 3-1, which would have been great. Now we’ve got to go back to a must-win situation.”

Trend-setting

The home team is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 games in this series.

The Suns have rebounded well as of late. They are 4-0 ATS after a SU loss and 6-0 ATS after failing to cover the spread.

The Blazers are 10-3 in their last 13 playoff games as an underdog.

Portland is 1-5 ATS after winning a game and 1-4 after covering the spread.

The over is 13-6 in the Suns last 19 games as a favorite. The over is 5-1 in the Suns’ last six home games.

Injury report

Expect Roy to play again. He didn’t start but he played better as the game went along on Saturday.

Starting forward Nicolas Batum left Thursday’s game with his persistent shoulder injury but played 33 minutes and scored 10 points in Saturday’s win.

Suns center Robin Lopez is out for the entire series with a bulging disc in his back.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets

Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins (-135, 5)

The Sabres avoided elimination thanks to a 4-1 win on home ice, but Monday’s game in Boston will be an even tougher test. The away side has lost all but one of the games in this series.

The Bruins dodged a bullet when the NHL ruled Zdeno Chara would not be suspended for Game 6. The defending Norris Trophy winner was given an instigator penalty late in Game 5 after retaliating from a slash.

“To be honest with you, I wasn’t even worried,” Bruins coach Claude Julien told the Boston Herald. “I couldn’t see (a suspension) happening. . . . It just didn’t make any sense. The guy got slashed on the back of the leg with a two-hander. He turned around with his glove still on and takes a pop - and then three guys jump on him.”

While Chara’s availability is certain, center Marc Savard is still iffy. The Bruins’ best offensive player was lost earlier in the year after suffering a nasty concussion. Savard skated on Saturday and is just awaiting medical clearance to rejoin his teammates.

“Of course, every player wants to play,” Savard told reporters after the skate. “I’m excited. The adrenaline is pumping. (Yesterday) was another good day. We’ll see what happens with the trainers and coaches.”

Sounds like things are stacked against Ryan Miller and the Sabres from extending the series.

Pick: Bruins


Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens (+165, 6)

The Habs are proving to be a much tougher test for the Presidents’ Trophy winners than most NHL bettors were anticipating.

The great equalizer for Montreal has been its special teams. The Caps, who owned the league’s best power play during the regular season, have scored just one goal in 24 power plays so far this series. The Habs, on the other hand, are 4-for-22 with the man advantage.

That’s a good way to frustrate Alexander Ovechkin & Co.

"I mean [the Canadiens] skate. I watch the games. I watch them closely," Caps forward Scott Walker told the Washington Examiner. "They skate. They play hard. But are we playing hard?”

It all boils down to goaltending for the Habs. The Caps are always going to put a lot of pucks on net, but if Jaroslav Halak can play at the same level he did in Game 5, Montreal has a good shot of pushing the series to a Game 7 in Washington.

Pick: Under

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets

Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs (-165, Off)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Silva is seeing a shrink. So is his ERA.

Silva is a castaway from Seattle, where he struggled with consistency. The Cubs introduced him to "consultant" Marc Strickland, a sports psychologist who is bringing out the best in his new client.

"They teach me a lot of stuff," Silva told the Chicago Tribune. "It's not easy. Sometimes we have no patience to wait for good results. When you're working so hard, and trying to do the right thing, if you don't have the good results (immediately) sometimes you go crazy. That's what happened to me."

Whatever head games Strickland is playing Silva, it's working. Silva is off to a 2-0 start with a microscopic 0.63 ERA, allowing just 10 hits in 19 innings pitched.

Counterpart John Lannan has allowed 24 hits over 18.0 innings and the Nationals are struggling for offense, scoring just 10 runs over their last four games.

It doesn't help having eight players on the DL, not including third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who still isn't ready to return. Look for Silva to baffle the Nats, with a little help from his psychic friend.

Pick: Cubs


Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers (-210, 8.5)

The Brewers took the broom to the Bucs last week in Pittsburgh and, after being swept by the Cubs at home over the weekend, welcome another encounter with the Pirates.

These same pitchers met on Wednesday, with Milwaukee's Yavoni Gallardo striking out 10 in an 8-0 shutout and Pittsburgh's Zach Duke allowing three home runs in just 3 2/3 innings of work.

Although it's accurate to say all teams match up well with the low-budget Bucs, the Brew Crew seems to have their number. They have won six straight over the Pirates, outscoring them by a 36-1 margin in last week's three-game series.

It wasn't a fluke, and it doesn't get much easier than picking a one-sided rematch from five days ago.

Pick: Brewers

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NEWS AND NOTES
Bettors' Best Friend (BBF)
Monday's Wagering Tips


Line Off The Board

The total in the Nationals-Cubs game is off pending the wind speed and direction at Wrigley Field

Lines To Keep An Eye On

Magic-Bobcats total opened at 182.5 and has skyrocketed to as high 184 at some books.
The Hawks opened as 1-point favorites over the Bucks but that number is now 1.5. The total also jumped from 189 to 190.

Who's Hot

Magic are 9-0 SU and 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine.
Hawks are 6-1 SU in their last seven and 5-1 ATS in their last six.
Suns are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 at home.
Bruins are 6-2 in their last eight.
Padres are 8-1 in their last nine.

Who's Not

Bobcats are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight.
Bucks are 2-4-1 ATS in their last seven.
Canadiens are 2-6 in their last eight and 0-6 in in last six home playoff games.

Key Stat

5 to 9 - Number of quarterbacks currently on the Oakland Raiders' roster and the combined number of games they won as starters last season.

Injury That Shouldn't Be Overlooked

Bruins forward Marc Savard hopes to play in tonight's Game 6 against the Sabres although he remains a game-time decision. If he does it would be his first game back since suffering a Grade 2 concussion on March 7. If in postseason form, Savard could be a huge lift to the Bruins. But a tough elimination game is not the ideal circumstances for his return after missing six weeks of workouts. He might do more harm than good.

Game Of The Day
Trailblazers at Suns
Notable Quotable

"(Jimmie Johnson) is testing my patience, I can tell you that. It takes a lot to make me mad. I am pissed right now. I don't know what it is with me and him right now."
Jeff Gordon said of teammate Jimmie Johnson after he squeezed Gordon out of line Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway and set off a wreck that dropped Gordon to a 22nd-place finish.

Tips And Notes

With Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter, the Magic are an obvious offensive force. But they are beating the Bobcats with their underrated defense. Through the first three games the Bobcats have committed 52 turnovers. Charlotte point guard Raymond Felton and many of his teammates are playoff rookies, which explains some of the miscues. But experience is the only thing to correct this TO problem and there's not enough time (and too much Magic D) for that.
The boarding penalty against Chicago defenseman Marian Hossa got all the headlines, especially after he returned to score the game-winner in overtime of Game 5, but it was only one of 21 reasons the Blackhawks have a 3-2 series lead over Nashville. The Blackhawks have killed off 21-of-21 penalities during the series and the Predators' inability to cash in on those opportunities is killing their chances of advancing.
The Braves played in prime time Sunday against the Mets and had to catch the redeye to St. Louis for tonight's game. The quick turnaround isn't the only thing working against Atlanta. The Braves' leadoff position is batting .081 entering Sunday's game and no pitcher has had a hit all season. With a guaranteed out at the top and bottom of the lineup, it's no wonder they have lost four in a row and scored just six runs in that span.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Betting MLB's Best Pitchers: Two To Back, Two To Fade
By JON CAMPBELL


Betting the best pitchers in baseball is a risky business. Oddsmakers bump on the price and even the best hurlers goes through rough stretches during the course of the season.

To help out, I’ll isolate two staff aces to play and two to fade in a two-week window.

Before you call me out on not including guys like Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay, remember, I’m looking for pitchers that boast value. That means I won’t always be targeting Cy Young candidates.

Here’s a look at this week’s list.

MoneyMakers

Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians

After suffering through a tumultuous couple of seasons, Fausto Carmona appears to be back in top form.

He went 13-19 over the last two seasons, with an ERA up around six. Keep in mind, this was a guy that won 19 games back in 2007, so there’s no denying he has the tools.

Carmona had a tremendous spring, and he’s carried those positive results into the regular season. Through four starts, he’s 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA, a sparkling 1.13 WHIP (walks + hits per inning) and opponents are hitting just .196 against him.

There’s a renewed sense of optimism in the Indians' clubhouse these days and Carmona is a big reason why. As they continue to improve, we should see plenty of value backing a guy who still has work to do to get back in the betting public’s good books.

Johan Santana, New York Mets

The Mets have finally shown some signs of life and that’s good news for their backers. The Mets have yet to garner much attention from the oddsmakers or the betting public.

Johan Santana is generally a slow starter, but that hasn’t been the case this season.

He’s tossed three gems in four starts, faltering only once, on April 11th against the Nationals. Since that loss, he has worked 13 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run on 12 hits while striking out 14 and walking only one.

Santana has settled in nicely at Citi Field, where he’s made 17 starts since the park opened last year, posting a 10-4 record and a 2.61 ERA along the way.

With their offense slowly starting to come around, the Mets may actually be able to give their ace some help in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for value backing Santana as a mid-range favorite.

Bankroll Burners

Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Verlander regained his form last season, winning 19 games for the Tigers. However, he’s alternated good and bad campaigns over the last few years, and if his start to 2010 is any indication, it’s a trend that’s going to continue.

Through four starts, the Tigers righthander has recorded just one victory, and has allowed 17 earned runs in only 22 innings pitched. His strikeout totals are down, with only 19 thus far.

The good news is, Verlander has traditionally struggled in April. He’s owns a 7-10 career mark to go along with a 5.22 ERA in the first month of the season.

Rather than fade Verlander right now, your best bet may be to look at playing the over when he takes the hill. I say that because I have a lot of respect for the Tigers offense. Even when Verlander struggles, they’re capable of bailing him out.

Dan Haren, Arizona Diamondbacks

D-Backs ace Dan Haren has been nothing more than average through the first month of the season.

In 26 innings of work he has given up 27 hits and 15 earned runs. He’s also been tagged for five home runs. This is a guy who didn’t give up his fifth home run until the end of May last season.

Haren is about to enter what has traditionally been one of his worst months. He owns just 10 victories in 28 career starts in the month of May. By contrast, he’s 16-4 with a 2.61 ERA in June.

The main reason Haren should be on your fade list may not be any fault of his.

Arizona is quite simply a bad team right now. It's not scoring runs with any consistency and its bullpen ranks as worst in the league in ERA (6.99).

Haren will continue to be priced as an elite pitcher, but he’ll be hard pressed to post many wins unless his supporting cast gives him some help.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Celtics (+1-1/2) on Sunday.

Monday it's the Hawks. The deficit is 305 sirignanos.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports
437 - 316 run 59 %

Bonus Play MON Phillies -160

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NBA

Season
Straight Up: 838-361 (.699)
ATS: 642-593 (.520)
ATS Vary Units: 1519-1424 (.516)
Over/Under: 610-633 (.491)
Over/Under Vary Units: 803-830 (.492)

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 4, best-of-7 series
Orlando 96, CHARLOTTE 91
MILWAUKEE 96, Atlanta 93
Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 5, best-of-7 series
PHOENIX 107, Portland 101

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NHL

Season: 434-292 (.598)

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 6, best-of-7 series
Buffalo vs. BOSTON: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Washington vs. MONTREAL: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 6, best-of-7 series
NASHVILLE 3, Chicago 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPORTS ADVISORS

MONDAY, APRIL 26

NBA PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Orlando (3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS) at Charlotte (0-2 SU, 1-2 ATS)

The Magic look to complete a four-game sweep of the Bobcats when they return to Charlotte Bobcats Arena for Game 4 of this best-of-7 Eastern Conference first-round series. Orlando guard Jameer Nelson led the way in Saturday’s Game 3, scoring 32 points as the Magic rallied for an 90-86 victory, cashing as a two-point road favorite. The Magic outrebounded the Bobcats 42-33 on Saturday and outscored Charlotte 49-40 in the second half to pulled out the victory despite committing 21 turnovers. Stephen Jackson (19 points) was one of four Bobcats to reach double figures in scoring Saturday, but Charlotte was a woeful 5-for-23 from three-point land. The Magic are now 26-16 on the highway this season (22-18-2 ATS), including winning nine of their last 11 on the road (7-3-1 ATS). The Bobcats remain a solid 31-11 at home (23-18-1 ATS) this season, but they’ve followed up an 11-1 run (9-3 ATS) at Bobcats Arena by dropping two straight. That includes a 98-89 loss to the Bulls in the regular-season finale as a 1½-point underdog in a meaningless game to the Bobcats, but one with playoff implications for the Bulls. This is the first trip to the postseason for this Charlotte franchise in its sixth season in existence. Meanwhile, the Magic are in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Last spring, they eliminated the 76ers 4-2 (2-4 ATS) in the opening round, then went on to take down the defending-champion Celtics in the conference semifinals (4-3 SU and ATS) and beat the top-seeded Cavaliers (4-2, 5-1 ATS) to reach the NBA Finals for just the second time in franchise history. However, the dream ended in five games against the Lakers (1-4 ATS). By winning the first three games of this series, Orlando is now on a 10-1 SU run against Charlotte. The Magic are 6-3 ATS in the last nine meetings, and the road team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven series clashes.
Orlando is just 2-4 ATS in its last six as a playoff favorite, but it is on pointspread surges of 8-1 overall, 7-2 on the road, 21-7 against the Eastern Conference, 20-6-1 as a favorite and 7-0 as a road favorite. Charlotte is just 2-6 ATS in its last six overall, 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven as a ‘dog, and 1-6 ATS in its last seven on Monday, but it is on positive ATS streaks of 7-2-1 against the Southeast Division, 6-3-1 after a straight-up loss and 11-6 at home against teams with winning road records.
The Magic have topped the total in four straight Monday games and five of eight after a spread-cover, but they are on “under” runs of 29-13-2 as a favorite, 11-4-1 against Southeast Division teams and 4-0 as a playoff favorite. The Bobcats have gone “over” the total in seven of 11 at home, but they are on “under” streaks of 14-6-1 against the Eastern Conference, 12-3-1 against teams with winning records and 11-1-1 as an underdog. Finally, the under has cashed in 11 of the last 15 meetings in this rivalry, including six of seven in Charlotte and it is 2-0-1 in this playoff series.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER


Atlanta (2-1 SU and ATS) at Milwaukee (1-2 SU and ATS)

The Bucks, fresh off a blowout victory, will try to knot up this best-of-7, first-round series when they take on the Hawks in Game 4 at the Bradley Center. Milwaukee jumped all over Atlanta in the first quarter Saturday, taking a 36-19 lead, and after giving back five points in the second, the Bucks outscored the Hawks by nine in the third on the way to a 107-89 Game 3 rout as a one-point home chalk. Milwaukee shot a stout 51.2 percent (41 of 80), including 10 of 23 from 3-point range, and six players scored in double figures, led by John Salmons (22 points, seven assists). Atlanta, which won and cashed at home in the first two games of this series, shot just 39.1 percent in Game 3, including a dismal 3-for-15 effort from long distance (20 percent). Joe Johnson (25 points) led the Hawks, who had their six-game SU and five-game ATS streaks halted. Atlanta stands at 19-23 SU (23-19 ATS) on the highway this season, averaging 98.6 ppg on 46.2 percent shooting, while allowing just a smidge less at 98.2 ppg (46.6 percent shooting). Meanwhile, Milwaukee is 29-13 SU (25-16-1 ATS) in the home jerseys, putting up 100.1 ppg and giving up 96.4, despite getting outshot 45.5 percent to 44.1 percent. The Bucks lost their last two regular-season home starts – including an eight-point loss to Atlanta two weeks ago – but are still 13-2 SU (10-4-1 ATS) in their last 15 at the Bradley Center. Atlanta is 5-2 SU and ATS in the last seven meetings with Milwaukee, with Saturday’s setback ending a four-game ATS run by the Hawks in this rivalry (3-1 SU). The chalk is on a 12-3-1 ATS tear in the last 16 battles between these two, and the SU winner is 14-3-1 ATS in the last 18 contests. Also, in Atlanta’s last 21 playoff contests, the SU winner is a torrid 20-0-1 ATS, and the SU winner is 9-0-1 ATS in Milwaukee’s last 10 overall.
The Hawks remain on pointspread sprees of 5-1 overall, 9-2 against the Central Division, 9-2 against winning teams, 8-1-1 after a SU loss of more than 10 points, 4-1 after a day off and 5-2 in first-round playoff games. However, Atlanta is also in a 2-7 ATS rut coming off a SU loss. Despite Saturday’s effort, the Bucks are still on a 2-8-1 ATS freefall in first-round playoff games (1-4 last five) and are 2-5 ATS in their last seven against Southeast Division foes. Still, they led the NBA at the betting window in the regular season (52-28-2 ATS) and remain on positive pointspread streaks of 35-15-2 overall, 15-5-1 after a day off, 37-15-2 after a spread-cover and 14-6-2 following a SU win. Saturday’s game went over the posted price of 188½, and the total has now gone high in nine of the last 10 meetings overall in this rivalry and five straight in Milwaukee. In addition, the Bucks are on a plethora of “over” sprees, including 6-2 overall, 6-0-1 at home, 9-1 against winning teams, 14-4-2 in first-round playoff games (6-1 last six), 6-0-1 at home and 9-1 against winning teams. Finally, Atlanta is on “over” runs of 5-2 overall, 4-1 on the road, 7-1 against winning teams and 20-7 following a non-cover, though the under is 5-1 in the Hawks’ last six after a SU loss.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Portland (2-2 SU and ATS) at Phoenix (2-2 SU and ATS)

The surprise return of All-Star Brandon Roy led the Trail Blazers to a Game 4 win as they evened their best-of-7 Western Conference first-round series, which now shifts back to the US Airways Center for Game 5. Portland scored a 96-87 home win on Saturday, easily cashing as a two-point underdog. Less than two weeks after having knee surgery, Roy came back to the court and although he scored just 10 points on 4-for-10 shooting in 26-plus minutes, he gave the Blazers a big emotional boost. LeMarcus Aldridge (31 points, 11 rebounds) shouldered much of the load in Saturday’s win, while guard Andre Miller (Roy’s replacement) contributed 15 points and eight assists. Amare Stoudemire scored 26 points for the Suns, who shot just 33-for-76 from the field (43.4 percent). The Blazers are 25-18 (26-16-1 ATS) on the road this season, but have won twice in Phoenix this season, including a 105-100 upset win in Game 1 of this series as an 8½-point underdog. Portland has won six of its last eight (4-4 ATS) on the highway. The Suns are 33-10 (26-16-1 ATS) inside US Airways Center, and they’ve won nine of their last 10 at home (8-1-1 ATS), with the only loss and non-cover coming in Game 1 of this series. Portland ended a six-year playoff drought last year, but went one-and-done, falling 4-2 to the Rockets (3-3 ATS) in the opening round. Phoenix is back in the postseason after missing out last year. This is the Suns’ 19th postseason appearances in the last 22 years. The Blazers lead the season series 4-3 (4-2-1 ATS), and the road team has won three of the last six meetings, including two of three in this best-of-seven battle. However, the chalk has cashed in 19 of the last 30 meetings between these two, and the home team is riding a 7-3-1 ATS streak in the last 11 contests. Portland is just 1-5 ATS in its last six after a spread-cover and 1-5 ATS in its last six after a straight-up win, but it is on positive ATS runs of 16-7-1 on the road, 10-3 as a playoff underdog and 15-7-1 on the road against teams with a winning home record. The Suns are on a plethora of ATS surges, including 27-11-1 overall, 8-1-1 at home, 19-7-1 as a favorite, 13-3-1 as a home favorite, 6-0 after a non-cover and 7-2-1 at home against teams with a winning home record. The Blazers have stayed below the posted total in five of seven after a day off, but they are on “over” runs of 16-7 on the road, 17-8 as a road ‘dog, 20-8 on the road against teams with a winning home record, 5-1 after a spread-cover and 13-3 on Monday. Phoenix has stayed “under” the total in seven of 10 against Northwest Division teams and five of seven after a day off, but it is on “over” streaks of 5-1 at home, 5-1 after a non-cover, 13-6 as a playoff favorite and 6-1 as a playoff favorite of between five to 10½ points. The under is 4-2 in the last six Blazers-Suns contests, but the over cashed in the first two games of this playoff series in the desert.

ATS ADVANTAGE: PHOENIX


NATIONAL LEAGUE

Philadelphia (11-7) at San Francisco (10-8)

Roy Halladay (4-0, 0.82 ERA) goes for his fifth win in as many starts this season as the Phillies open a three-game series at AT&T Park against the Giants, who are slated to hand the ball to southpaw Jonathan Sanchez (1-1, 1.86). Philadelphia, which is in the midst of a nine-game road trip, lost two of three over the weekend in Arizona, including Sunday’s 8-6 setback. Since starting the season 8-2 (including 5-1 on the road), the Phillies have dropped five of their last eight games. They’ve also lost five of six to left-handed starters, but the two-time defending N.L. champs remain on positive runs of 6-3 on the highway, 37-18 versus the N.L. West, 7-2 in series openers and 21-6 on Monday. San Francisco took the first two games of a weekend home series against Albert Pujols and the Cardinals (4-1 and 2-0), but failed to finish off the sweep as it got shutout 2-0 Sunday, with Pujols going 3-for-4 with a home run. Like Philadelphia, the Giants started out strong (8-3) but have since dropped five of their last seven. On the bright side, Bruce Bochy’s bunch is on positive surges of 10-3 at home, 11-5 against right-handed starters, 53-27 at home versus righties, 5-1 on Monday and 15-5 in series openers. The Giants edged Philly in the season series last year, winning four of seven meetings, and they’re 6-3 in the last nine series clashes, including 5-1 in the last six at AT&T Park. Halladay has been absolutely brilliant in his first month with his new team, giving up just four runs (three earned) in 33 innings. That includes two complete games in his last two road starts, beating the Astros 2-1 on April 11 and the Braves 2-0 on Wednesday. The veteran right-hander is 3-0 with a 0.36 ERA in three road games, and overall he has a 28-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Going back to last season when he was pitching in Toronto, Halladay has delivered eight straight quality starts, giving up two earned runs or less in each game while pitching at least seven innings in seven straight contests (including four complete games). In fact, Halladay has six complete games in his last 10 starts, allowing a total of 11 earned runs in 82 innings over this stretch (1.21 ERA). The only negative for Halladay coming into this one: He’s faced the Giants twice in his career – interleague games in 2002 and 2004 – and he’s 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA, yielding five runs in each game. Sanchez struggled in his first start on April 9, allowing three runs on seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings, but he’s been fantastic in his last two outings, pitching eight scoreless innings in a 6-0 home win over Pittsburgh on April 14 and allowing one run in seven innings of a tough-luck 1-0 loss in San Diego last Monday. Sanchez has surrendered just four hits and six walks while striking out 21 in his last two games spanning 15 innings. Sanchez has given up three runs or less in six consecutive starts going back to September, and San Francisco had won six straight games behind the left-hander before last week’s 1-0 loss to the Padres. However, the Giants are 1-6 in Sanchez’s last seven Monday starts and 3-7 in his last 10 against the N.L. East. Sanchez has faced the Phillies seven times (three starts), going 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA. In two starts against Philadelphia last season, he gave up a total of three runs, six hits and six walks in 11 2/3 innings, with San Francisco winning 7-2 at home and losing 1-0 on the road. Philadelphia is on a slew of “over” runs, including 30-11-2 overall, 21-9 on the road, 5-1 versus left-handed starters, 5-1 against the N.L. West and 9-4-1 in series openers. Conversely, the Giants have stayed low in seven straight games overall, and the under is 9-4-1 in Sanchez’s last 14 starts overall and 5-2 in his last seven Monday outings. However, San Francisco is also on “over” surges of 9-3-2 in series openers, 5-1-2 on Monday, 13-5-2 when Sanchez starts at home and 6-2-1 when Sanchez faces N.L. East competition. Finally, five of last year’s final six clashes between these teams stayed under the posted total.

ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA

 

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Super Pogodak 70-67-2 (1-3)


Ilioupoli - Rhodos
Bet on Ilioupoli @1.90

Lugano - Winterthur
Bet on Lugano @1.90

Molde - Tromso
Bet on Molde @1.95

 

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Bulgarian Paid service 41-40 (3-3)

SC1 Ross County - Greenock Morton:Bet on Ross County@2,2

IRP Shamroc - Sligo:Bet on Rovers Shamroc@1,75

GR2 Ilioupoli - Rhodos :Bet on Ilioupoli@1,85

SU2 Lugano - Winterthur:Bet on Lugano@1,85

DE2 Cottbus - Union Berlin:Bet on Cottbus@1,9

BU1 Minyor Pernik - Lokomotiv Pl:Bet on Minyor Pernik or Draw - @1,75

NO1 Molde - Tromso :Bet on Molde@1,9

RO1 Arges Pitesti - Vaslui :Bet on Vaslui @2,1

 

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Bookie Monster
29-10 (74%) Run

Mon
Arizona +100

 

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CAPPERS ACCESS
Bobcats
Hawks
Brewers(RL)

 

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GAMBLERS DATA
Milw Bucks +1.5

 

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Joe Wiz's Daily Free Pick

Under 8.5 runs bet. Cleveland & Angels

 

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The Joker

Back Osasuna at 2.58 to beat Athletic Bilbao
Spanish League - 20:00 BST

 

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Big Al

Baseball Plays for Monday, April 26

3* Dodgers -134 (Kuroda/Perez)
3* Angels/Indians 'over' 8.5 (Weaver/Huff)
Opinion Tigers +124 (Bonderman/Harrison)

Basketball Plays for Monday, April 26

Opinion Magic/Bobcats 'over