Today's NBA Picks
Denver at Dallas
The Mavs face a must-win situation and will look to build on their 6-1 ATS record in their last 7 home games. Dallas is the pick (-4) according to Dunkel, which has the Mavericks favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-4). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Time Posted: 9:00 a.m. EST
Game 721-722: Denver at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 121.253; Dallas 128.347
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 7; 200
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 4; 209
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-4); Under
Game 723-724: Cleveland at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 129.711; Atlanta 120.621
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 9; 186
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 8; 180
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-8); Over
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Denver at Dallas
The Mavs face a must-win situation and will look to build on their 6-1 ATS record in their last 7 home games. Dallas is the pick (-4) according to Dunkel, which has the Mavericks favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-4). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Time Posted: 9:00 a.m. EST
Game 721-722: Denver at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 121.253; Dallas 128.347
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 7; 200
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 4; 209
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-4); Under
Game 723-724: Cleveland at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 129.711; Atlanta 120.621
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 9; 186
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 8; 180
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-8); Over
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Today's NHL Picks
Chicago at Vancouver
The Blackhawks come off a 2-1 overtime win in Game Four and look to build on their 7-3 record in their last 10 games after allowing 2 goals or fewer in their previous game. Chicago is the underdog pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Blackhawks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+130). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Time Posted: 9:00 a.m. EST
Game 51-52: Pittsburgh at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.703; Washington 13.253
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 53-54: Chicago at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 13.192; Vancouver 12.065
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-150); 5
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+130); Under
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Chicago at Vancouver
The Blackhawks come off a 2-1 overtime win in Game Four and look to build on their 7-3 record in their last 10 games after allowing 2 goals or fewer in their previous game. Chicago is the underdog pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Blackhawks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+130). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Time Posted: 9:00 a.m. EST
Game 51-52: Pittsburgh at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.703; Washington 13.253
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 53-54: Chicago at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 13.192; Vancouver 12.065
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-150); 5
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+130); Under
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Today's MLB Picks
Tampa Bay at Boston
The Rays look to bounce back from last night's loss and build on their 4-1 record in Scott Kazmir's last 5 starts as a road underdog between +110 and +150. Tampa Bay is the underdog pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Rays favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+120). Here are all of today's games
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Time Posted: 8:30 a.m. EST
Game 951-952: Pittsburgh at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.517; NY Mets (Maine) 14.677
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-175); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-175); Over
Game 953-954: Atlanta at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Vazquez) 15.465; Philadelphia (Blanton) 14.545
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-115); 10
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+105); Over
Game 955-956: San Francisco at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Sanchez) 14.843; LA Dodgers (Stults) 16.277
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-145); Under
Game 957-958: Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 16.363; Milwaukee (Gallardo) 15.247
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+125); Under
Game 959-960: San Diego at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Correia) 14.604; Houston (Moehler) 13.502
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+105); Over
Game 961-962: St. Louis at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Lohse) 14.891; Cincinnati (Harang) 16.482
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+105); Over
Game 963-964: Washington at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 14.494; Arizona (Davis) 15.437
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Arizona (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-130); Under
Game 965-966: Florida at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Johnson) 13.321; Colorado (De La Rosa) 14.924
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Florida (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+110); Over
Game 967-968: Tampa Bay at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 16.049; Boston (Lester) 15.431
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+120); Over
Game 969-970: Toronto at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Tallet) 15.708; Oakland (Gallagher) 17.137
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Toronto (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+105); Under
Game 971-972: NY Yankees at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Hughes) 14.461; Baltimore (Eaton) 15.588
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 12
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-160); 11
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+150); Over
Game 973-974: Detroit at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Jackson) 15.909; Cleveland (Carmona) 14.839
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+110); Over
Game 975-976: Texas at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Millwood) 15.064; White Sox (Danks) 15.486
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-135); Over
Game 977-978: Seattle at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 15.418; Minnesota (Liriano) 14.512
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+115); Under
Game 979-980: Kansas City at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 17.153; LA Angels (Saunders) 15.609
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-120); Under
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Tampa Bay at Boston
The Rays look to bounce back from last night's loss and build on their 4-1 record in Scott Kazmir's last 5 starts as a road underdog between +110 and +150. Tampa Bay is the underdog pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Rays favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+120). Here are all of today's games
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Time Posted: 8:30 a.m. EST
Game 951-952: Pittsburgh at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.517; NY Mets (Maine) 14.677
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-175); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-175); Over
Game 953-954: Atlanta at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Vazquez) 15.465; Philadelphia (Blanton) 14.545
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-115); 10
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+105); Over
Game 955-956: San Francisco at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Sanchez) 14.843; LA Dodgers (Stults) 16.277
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-145); Under
Game 957-958: Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 16.363; Milwaukee (Gallardo) 15.247
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+125); Under
Game 959-960: San Diego at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Correia) 14.604; Houston (Moehler) 13.502
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+105); Over
Game 961-962: St. Louis at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Lohse) 14.891; Cincinnati (Harang) 16.482
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+105); Over
Game 963-964: Washington at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 14.494; Arizona (Davis) 15.437
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Arizona (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-130); Under
Game 965-966: Florida at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Johnson) 13.321; Colorado (De La Rosa) 14.924
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Florida (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+110); Over
Game 967-968: Tampa Bay at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 16.049; Boston (Lester) 15.431
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+120); Over
Game 969-970: Toronto at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Tallet) 15.708; Oakland (Gallagher) 17.137
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Toronto (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+105); Under
Game 971-972: NY Yankees at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Hughes) 14.461; Baltimore (Eaton) 15.588
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 12
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-160); 11
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+150); Over
Game 973-974: Detroit at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Jackson) 15.909; Cleveland (Carmona) 14.839
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+110); Over
Game 975-976: Texas at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Millwood) 15.064; White Sox (Danks) 15.486
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-135); Over
Game 977-978: Seattle at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 15.418; Minnesota (Liriano) 14.512
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+115); Under
Game 979-980: Kansas City at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 17.153; LA Angels (Saunders) 15.609
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-120); Under
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THE SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA PLAYOFFS
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(2) Denver (6-1 SU, 7-0 ATS) at (6) Dallas (4-3 SU and ATS)
The Mavericks look to climb out of a 2-0 deficit in this best-of-7 conference semifinal series when they return home to the American Airlines Center for Game 3 against the torrid Nuggets.
For the second straight game, Denver made a fourth-quarter surge to put Dallas away, winning 117-105 Tuesday night as a seven-point home chalk. Center Nene (25 points, eight rebounds) and star forward Carmelo Anthony (25 points, five assists) led the way, and Chauncey Billups had 18 points and eight assists. The Nuggets, shooting a sterling 52.3 percent in the series, are on a 20-4 SU tear (16-8 ATS).
Dirk Nowitzki racked up 35 points and nine rebounds in a losing cause for Dallas in Game 2, but only two other players reached double figures – Jason Terry (21 points) and Antoine Wright (10). Dallas made 23 of 30 free throws, but Denver had 10 more free-throw attempts, making 31 in all. The Mavs, shooting a respectable 48.1 percent against the Nuggets, have lost SU and ATS in both games in this series after entering on a 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS run.
Denver is now 9-1 SU and ATS in its last 10 meetings with Dallas, including 6-0 SU (5-1 ATS) this season. The Nuggets have also cashed on their last four trips to Dallas (3-1 SU).
Dallas is 34-9 SU (21-22 ATS) at home this year, and Denver is 22-21 SU and ATS on the road.
Not only have the Nuggets cashed in every postseason game to this point, but they’re are on additional pointspread sprees of 15-4 overall, 15-3 against the Western Conference, 14-3 against winning teams and 9-0 against the Southwest Division. The Mavericks are on an 8-18 ATS plunge against the Northwest Division, but they are on ATS upswings of 6-1 at home, 17-6 after a non-cover and 13-5 following a SU loss.
The over for Dallas is on streaks of 5-2 overall, 6-2 in second-round playoff games and 14-6 with the Mavs a home chalk, but the under is on rolls of 9-1 when Mavs are a playoff chalk of less than five points and 4-1 for the Mavericks at home. Likewise, the under for Denver is on stretches of 4-1 overall, 7-1 on the highway, 21-8 with the Nuggets catching points and 18-4 with the Nuggets as a playoff pup.
Finally, the under is 15-7 in the last 22 meetings in this rivalry (including 4-1 in the last five), and the total has stayed low in eight of the last 10 clashes in Dallas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER and UNDER
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Cleveland (6-0 SU and ATS) at (4) Atlanta (4-5 SU and ATS)
After a pair of blowout home wins, the Cavaliers take their perfect postseason mark on the road to face the desperate Hawks at Philips Arena.
Cleveland pounded Atlanta 105-85 Thursday night as a heavy 12½-point chalk to take a 2-0 series lead, again riding its stifling defense to an easy victory. The Cavs allowed just 35 first-half points, taking a 24-point lead into the break. LeBron James paced the rout with 27 points, five assists and four steals. Cleveland hit 53.5 percent from the floor (38 of 71) while holding Atlanta to just 34.9 percent (29 of 83), and the Cavs have now won all six of their playoff starts by double digits.
The Hawks couldn’t get a single player to 20 points in Game 2, with Maurice Evans managing a team-high 16. Joe Johnson, the squad’s leading scorer this season, had just 10 points on 5-for-15 shooting, leaving late in the third quarter with an ankle injury that could limit him tonight. The SU winner has cashed in each of the Hawks’ nine playoff games, with every one of those contests decided by double digits.
Cleveland, allowing a suffocating 78.2 ppg in the playoffs while scoring 96.3, is now 5-1 SU (3-3 ATS) in the season series with Atlanta. The favorite has cashed in 18 of the last 26 meetings, and the Cavs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 visits to Philips Arena. However, the home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six clashes.
Cleveland is 29-14 SU (24-19 ATS) on the highway this year, and Atlanta is 34-11 SU (25-19-1 ATS) in the home jerseys.
The Cavaliers are on a bundle of pointspread rolls, including 10-0 overall, 9-0 after a SU win, 7-0 in second-round playoff games, 4-0 on the road and 16-3 as a playoff chalk. The Hawks are on ATS upswings of 14-6-1 at home and 8-2 as a home pup, but they carry negative ATS streaks of 1-8 as an underdog and 1-5 catching points in the playoffs.
The under for Cleveland is on stretches of 4-1 overall, 15-5 in conference semifinal games and 7-1 when favored in the postseason. Likewise, the under for Atlanta is on tears of 8-3 overall, 11-3 against winning teams and 6-0 with the Hawks as a playoff pup.
In this rivalry, though, the over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings (1-1 in this series).
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Chicago (16-14) at Milwaukee (18-13)
The Cubs’ Ryan Dempster (2-1, 4.86 ERA) makes his second start of the season at Miller Park when he squares off against Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 3.02) in the middle game of a weekend series between N.L. Central rivals.
Milwaukee got a two-run homer from Ryan Braun in the eighth inning Friday night to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory. The Brewers have won nine of their last 12 and 13 of their last 16 overall. Additionally, they’re on runs of 7-2 at home, 7-1 against N.L. Central rivals, 8-2 as a favorite and 10-4 against right-handed starters, but they have lost six of their last eight on Saturday.
Despite blowing Friday’s contest, the Cubs are still 6-2 in their last eight games, a run that comes on the heels of a 2-7 slump. Chicago is also 6-2 in its last eight Saturday contests, but Lou Pineilla’s club has now lost six straight games as an underdog.
These rivals have now split four meetings this season – all in Milwaukee – but the Cubs are still 9-5 in the last 14 battles overall and 8-4 in their last 12 at Miller Park.
Dempster is coming off Monday’s 4-2 home win over the Giants, allowing both runs on five hits in seven innings. However, the veteran right-hander has struggled on the road, going 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in four starts, though the one victory came on April 12 in Milwaukee when Dempster gave up four runs in six innings, prevailing 8-5. Going back to last year, the Cubs are 1-5 in Dempster’s last six road outings, but they’re 5-0 in his last five outings on Saturday.
For his career, Dempster is 9-2 with a 2.63 ERA and 10 saves in 36 appearances (14 starts) against the Brewers, including 4-1 with a 2.33 ERA and six saves in 19 games (seven starts) at Miller Park.
Gallardo delivered his fourth consecutive quality start at Pittsburgh on Monday, yielding three runs in seven innings but he failed to earn a decision as Milwaukee rallied for a 7-4 victory, improving to 3-0 in the right-hander’s last three starts. Gallardo is 1-1 with a 4.85 ERA in two outings at Miller Park.
Milwaukee has won five of Gallardo’s last six starts versus N.L. Central rivals. He’s faced Chicago twice, giving up five runs in 12 innings (3.75 ERA) with the Brewers splitting both contests on the road.
For Chicago, the “over” is on runs of 9-3-1 overall, 5-1-1 on the road, 11-5-1 as an underdog, 7-2 against right-handed starters and 8-4-2 against divisional rivals. The over is also 4-1 in Milwaukee’s last five overall and 6-2 in its last eight against N.L. Central foes, but the under has been the play in each of the Brewers’ last six home games and is on additional runs of 11-4 for Milwaukee against right-handed starters and 9-2 with Gallardo on the hill.
Lastly, in this rivalry, the over is on runs of 12-5-2 overall, 14-5-2 in Milwaukee, and 4-1 when Dempster faces Chicago.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Tampa Bay (14-17) at Boston (19-11)
Two lefties off to subpar starts to the 2009 season square off at Fenway Park, with the Rays’ Scott Kazmir (3-3, 6.00) set to oppose Jon Lester (2-2, 5.11).
Boston fell behind 3-0 halfway through Friday’s series-opener against Tampa Bay, but rallied for seven unanswered runs to cruise to the 7-3 victory. The Red Sox are on impressive streaks of 17-5 overall, 76-32 at Fenway Park, 11-3 against division rivals, 5-0 on Saturday, 5-0 against southpaw starters and 16-2 when playing on grass.
Tampa Bay has followed up a 4-11 slump by going 6-3 in its last nine. The Rays have also won six of their last nine against the A.L. East. But otherwise Joe Maddon’s club is in funks of 6-9 on the road, 1-8 versus left-handed starters and 0-6 on Saturday.
The Rays lead the season series 5-3, but they’re still just 15-49 in their last 64 games at Fenway Park (playoffs included).
Kazmir has given up six earned runs in three of his last four starts, losing all three contests, including Monday’s 8-4 home setback to the Orioles. However, two of Kazmir’s three wins have come on the road, including a 7-2 victory at Boston on April 8 when he surrendered just a single run on five hits in six innings. Overall, Kazmir is 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts on the highway.
Including the April 8 win in Boston in his 2009 season debut, Kazmir is 7-7 with a 3.52 ERA in 22 career regular-season starts against the Red Sox, including 5-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 12 starts at Fenway Park. Also, Tampa Bay has won 14 of Kazmir’s last 17 starts on Saturday and 14 of his last 20 against teams with a winning record.
Lester beat the Yankees 6-4 in New York on Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 10 over seven innings. The southpaw was terrific in his last two home efforts, holding the Yankees and Orioles to a combined two runs on 11 hits with 16 strikeouts in 13 innings.
With Lester on the hill, Boston is on runs of 39-17 overall (4-0 overall), 22-4 at home and 20-8 against the A.L. East. Also, including two playoff starts in October, Lester is 4-3 with a 4.17 ERA in 10 lifetime starts against Tampa Bay. However, he lost to Kazmir on April 8, giving up five runs on eight hits in five innings of that 7-2 defeat. Prior to that, Boston had gone 7-0 with Lester pitching against the Rays in the regular season.
The over is 16-5 in Kazmir’s last 21 outings overall, 6-1 in his last seven on the highway, 10-1 in his last 11 against divisional rivals and 8-0 in his last eight against the Red Sox and 4-0 in his last four at Fenway Park. Additionally, the Red Sox have topped the total in six of Lester’s last eight home starts, each his last four starts on Saturday and each his last eight starts in the second game of a series.
Boston carries “over” trends of 19-7-3 overall (7-2-2 last 11), 9-2 versus left-handed starters, 6-2-1 at home and 11-3-2 against losing teams. Finally, the over/under had alternated in the first seven head-to-head meetings this season before Friday’s game landed right on the posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and OVER
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NBA PLAYOFFS
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(2) Denver (6-1 SU, 7-0 ATS) at (6) Dallas (4-3 SU and ATS)
The Mavericks look to climb out of a 2-0 deficit in this best-of-7 conference semifinal series when they return home to the American Airlines Center for Game 3 against the torrid Nuggets.
For the second straight game, Denver made a fourth-quarter surge to put Dallas away, winning 117-105 Tuesday night as a seven-point home chalk. Center Nene (25 points, eight rebounds) and star forward Carmelo Anthony (25 points, five assists) led the way, and Chauncey Billups had 18 points and eight assists. The Nuggets, shooting a sterling 52.3 percent in the series, are on a 20-4 SU tear (16-8 ATS).
Dirk Nowitzki racked up 35 points and nine rebounds in a losing cause for Dallas in Game 2, but only two other players reached double figures – Jason Terry (21 points) and Antoine Wright (10). Dallas made 23 of 30 free throws, but Denver had 10 more free-throw attempts, making 31 in all. The Mavs, shooting a respectable 48.1 percent against the Nuggets, have lost SU and ATS in both games in this series after entering on a 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS run.
Denver is now 9-1 SU and ATS in its last 10 meetings with Dallas, including 6-0 SU (5-1 ATS) this season. The Nuggets have also cashed on their last four trips to Dallas (3-1 SU).
Dallas is 34-9 SU (21-22 ATS) at home this year, and Denver is 22-21 SU and ATS on the road.
Not only have the Nuggets cashed in every postseason game to this point, but they’re are on additional pointspread sprees of 15-4 overall, 15-3 against the Western Conference, 14-3 against winning teams and 9-0 against the Southwest Division. The Mavericks are on an 8-18 ATS plunge against the Northwest Division, but they are on ATS upswings of 6-1 at home, 17-6 after a non-cover and 13-5 following a SU loss.
The over for Dallas is on streaks of 5-2 overall, 6-2 in second-round playoff games and 14-6 with the Mavs a home chalk, but the under is on rolls of 9-1 when Mavs are a playoff chalk of less than five points and 4-1 for the Mavericks at home. Likewise, the under for Denver is on stretches of 4-1 overall, 7-1 on the highway, 21-8 with the Nuggets catching points and 18-4 with the Nuggets as a playoff pup.
Finally, the under is 15-7 in the last 22 meetings in this rivalry (including 4-1 in the last five), and the total has stayed low in eight of the last 10 clashes in Dallas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER and UNDER
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Cleveland (6-0 SU and ATS) at (4) Atlanta (4-5 SU and ATS)
After a pair of blowout home wins, the Cavaliers take their perfect postseason mark on the road to face the desperate Hawks at Philips Arena.
Cleveland pounded Atlanta 105-85 Thursday night as a heavy 12½-point chalk to take a 2-0 series lead, again riding its stifling defense to an easy victory. The Cavs allowed just 35 first-half points, taking a 24-point lead into the break. LeBron James paced the rout with 27 points, five assists and four steals. Cleveland hit 53.5 percent from the floor (38 of 71) while holding Atlanta to just 34.9 percent (29 of 83), and the Cavs have now won all six of their playoff starts by double digits.
The Hawks couldn’t get a single player to 20 points in Game 2, with Maurice Evans managing a team-high 16. Joe Johnson, the squad’s leading scorer this season, had just 10 points on 5-for-15 shooting, leaving late in the third quarter with an ankle injury that could limit him tonight. The SU winner has cashed in each of the Hawks’ nine playoff games, with every one of those contests decided by double digits.
Cleveland, allowing a suffocating 78.2 ppg in the playoffs while scoring 96.3, is now 5-1 SU (3-3 ATS) in the season series with Atlanta. The favorite has cashed in 18 of the last 26 meetings, and the Cavs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 visits to Philips Arena. However, the home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six clashes.
Cleveland is 29-14 SU (24-19 ATS) on the highway this year, and Atlanta is 34-11 SU (25-19-1 ATS) in the home jerseys.
The Cavaliers are on a bundle of pointspread rolls, including 10-0 overall, 9-0 after a SU win, 7-0 in second-round playoff games, 4-0 on the road and 16-3 as a playoff chalk. The Hawks are on ATS upswings of 14-6-1 at home and 8-2 as a home pup, but they carry negative ATS streaks of 1-8 as an underdog and 1-5 catching points in the playoffs.
The under for Cleveland is on stretches of 4-1 overall, 15-5 in conference semifinal games and 7-1 when favored in the postseason. Likewise, the under for Atlanta is on tears of 8-3 overall, 11-3 against winning teams and 6-0 with the Hawks as a playoff pup.
In this rivalry, though, the over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings (1-1 in this series).
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Chicago (16-14) at Milwaukee (18-13)
The Cubs’ Ryan Dempster (2-1, 4.86 ERA) makes his second start of the season at Miller Park when he squares off against Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 3.02) in the middle game of a weekend series between N.L. Central rivals.
Milwaukee got a two-run homer from Ryan Braun in the eighth inning Friday night to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory. The Brewers have won nine of their last 12 and 13 of their last 16 overall. Additionally, they’re on runs of 7-2 at home, 7-1 against N.L. Central rivals, 8-2 as a favorite and 10-4 against right-handed starters, but they have lost six of their last eight on Saturday.
Despite blowing Friday’s contest, the Cubs are still 6-2 in their last eight games, a run that comes on the heels of a 2-7 slump. Chicago is also 6-2 in its last eight Saturday contests, but Lou Pineilla’s club has now lost six straight games as an underdog.
These rivals have now split four meetings this season – all in Milwaukee – but the Cubs are still 9-5 in the last 14 battles overall and 8-4 in their last 12 at Miller Park.
Dempster is coming off Monday’s 4-2 home win over the Giants, allowing both runs on five hits in seven innings. However, the veteran right-hander has struggled on the road, going 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in four starts, though the one victory came on April 12 in Milwaukee when Dempster gave up four runs in six innings, prevailing 8-5. Going back to last year, the Cubs are 1-5 in Dempster’s last six road outings, but they’re 5-0 in his last five outings on Saturday.
For his career, Dempster is 9-2 with a 2.63 ERA and 10 saves in 36 appearances (14 starts) against the Brewers, including 4-1 with a 2.33 ERA and six saves in 19 games (seven starts) at Miller Park.
Gallardo delivered his fourth consecutive quality start at Pittsburgh on Monday, yielding three runs in seven innings but he failed to earn a decision as Milwaukee rallied for a 7-4 victory, improving to 3-0 in the right-hander’s last three starts. Gallardo is 1-1 with a 4.85 ERA in two outings at Miller Park.
Milwaukee has won five of Gallardo’s last six starts versus N.L. Central rivals. He’s faced Chicago twice, giving up five runs in 12 innings (3.75 ERA) with the Brewers splitting both contests on the road.
For Chicago, the “over” is on runs of 9-3-1 overall, 5-1-1 on the road, 11-5-1 as an underdog, 7-2 against right-handed starters and 8-4-2 against divisional rivals. The over is also 4-1 in Milwaukee’s last five overall and 6-2 in its last eight against N.L. Central foes, but the under has been the play in each of the Brewers’ last six home games and is on additional runs of 11-4 for Milwaukee against right-handed starters and 9-2 with Gallardo on the hill.
Lastly, in this rivalry, the over is on runs of 12-5-2 overall, 14-5-2 in Milwaukee, and 4-1 when Dempster faces Chicago.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Tampa Bay (14-17) at Boston (19-11)
Two lefties off to subpar starts to the 2009 season square off at Fenway Park, with the Rays’ Scott Kazmir (3-3, 6.00) set to oppose Jon Lester (2-2, 5.11).
Boston fell behind 3-0 halfway through Friday’s series-opener against Tampa Bay, but rallied for seven unanswered runs to cruise to the 7-3 victory. The Red Sox are on impressive streaks of 17-5 overall, 76-32 at Fenway Park, 11-3 against division rivals, 5-0 on Saturday, 5-0 against southpaw starters and 16-2 when playing on grass.
Tampa Bay has followed up a 4-11 slump by going 6-3 in its last nine. The Rays have also won six of their last nine against the A.L. East. But otherwise Joe Maddon’s club is in funks of 6-9 on the road, 1-8 versus left-handed starters and 0-6 on Saturday.
The Rays lead the season series 5-3, but they’re still just 15-49 in their last 64 games at Fenway Park (playoffs included).
Kazmir has given up six earned runs in three of his last four starts, losing all three contests, including Monday’s 8-4 home setback to the Orioles. However, two of Kazmir’s three wins have come on the road, including a 7-2 victory at Boston on April 8 when he surrendered just a single run on five hits in six innings. Overall, Kazmir is 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts on the highway.
Including the April 8 win in Boston in his 2009 season debut, Kazmir is 7-7 with a 3.52 ERA in 22 career regular-season starts against the Red Sox, including 5-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 12 starts at Fenway Park. Also, Tampa Bay has won 14 of Kazmir’s last 17 starts on Saturday and 14 of his last 20 against teams with a winning record.
Lester beat the Yankees 6-4 in New York on Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 10 over seven innings. The southpaw was terrific in his last two home efforts, holding the Yankees and Orioles to a combined two runs on 11 hits with 16 strikeouts in 13 innings.
With Lester on the hill, Boston is on runs of 39-17 overall (4-0 overall), 22-4 at home and 20-8 against the A.L. East. Also, including two playoff starts in October, Lester is 4-3 with a 4.17 ERA in 10 lifetime starts against Tampa Bay. However, he lost to Kazmir on April 8, giving up five runs on eight hits in five innings of that 7-2 defeat. Prior to that, Boston had gone 7-0 with Lester pitching against the Rays in the regular season.
The over is 16-5 in Kazmir’s last 21 outings overall, 6-1 in his last seven on the highway, 10-1 in his last 11 against divisional rivals and 8-0 in his last eight against the Red Sox and 4-0 in his last four at Fenway Park. Additionally, the Red Sox have topped the total in six of Lester’s last eight home starts, each his last four starts on Saturday and each his last eight starts in the second game of a series.
Boston carries “over” trends of 19-7-3 overall (7-2-2 last 11), 9-2 versus left-handed starters, 6-2-1 at home and 11-3-2 against losing teams. Finally, the over/under had alternated in the first seven head-to-head meetings this season before Friday’s game landed right on the posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and OVER
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Big @L 5*
Off a 1-2 losing day in Baseball on Friday, Al McMordie is releasing a RARE 5* PLAY in MLB action on Saturday -- just his 2nd 5* Play of the season. And this play is so strong, it's Big Al's MLB Division Game of the Year! Al CASHED 100% of his 5* Baseball Plays last season, and is 1-0 already this year so pick up this MONSTER PLAY right now.
Milwaukee Brewers
At 7:05pm our selection is on the Milwaukee Brewers over the Chicago Cubs. 5* NL Central Game of the Year on the Brewers. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
Off a 1-2 losing day in Baseball on Friday, Al McMordie is releasing a RARE 5* PLAY in MLB action on Saturday -- just his 2nd 5* Play of the season. And this play is so strong, it's Big Al's MLB Division Game of the Year! Al CASHED 100% of his 5* Baseball Plays last season, and is 1-0 already this year so pick up this MONSTER PLAY right now.
Milwaukee Brewers
At 7:05pm our selection is on the Milwaukee Brewers over the Chicago Cubs. 5* NL Central Game of the Year on the Brewers. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
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Beatyourbookie
NBA Basketball
100* Play Denver (+4) over Dallas (NBA)
Denver is 17-8 ATS vs. Southwest Division Opponents this season
Denver is 26-12 ATS after scoring 100 or more points in two straight games
Denver is 7-0 ATS as a #2 seed in the playoffs
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Other Hoops & Hockey Plays
50* Play Atlanta (+9) over Cleveland (NBA)
50* Play Vancouver (-150) over Chicago (NHL)
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NBA Basketball
100* Play Denver (+4) over Dallas (NBA)
Denver is 17-8 ATS vs. Southwest Division Opponents this season
Denver is 26-12 ATS after scoring 100 or more points in two straight games
Denver is 7-0 ATS as a #2 seed in the playoffs
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Other Hoops & Hockey Plays
50* Play Atlanta (+9) over Cleveland (NBA)
50* Play Vancouver (-150) over Chicago (NHL)
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Al DeMarco
Al DeMarco Saturday's Play 5 Dime - Minnesota Twins
One of the keys to my success when it comes to baseball is reviewing every boxscore of every game on a daily basis, committing to memory the pitching lines of those starters that catch my attention. One such pitcher was Minnesota's Francisco Liriano, who after losing his first four starts of the season, allowing 17 earned runs in 21 innings pitched, seemingly turned the corner with a strong performance against Tampa on April 28 in which he held the Rays to two runs in 6 2/3 innings. But it was his next start this past Monday that made me commit to backing him today, an outing where he shutdown Detroit, fanning a season-high nine while holding the Tigers to two runs on four hits over 7 1/3 innings.
Tonight's game represents a rematch for Liriano of his first start of the season - also at home - against Seattle and Felix Hernandez. In that contest, the Minnesota lefthander absorbed the loss after allowing four hits and four runs in seven innings. For Hernandez, it marked a season-opening run of five straight wins as he limited the Twins to one run on five hits over eight innings.
Hernandez had his winning streak snapped in his last outing. Coming off a bout with the flu, the righthander was tagged for 10 hits and six earned runs by red-hot Texas at home. That contest started a Seattle losing streak that was extended to five in a row with last night's 11-0 loss as the Mariners have scored a total of nine runs in that period with only four of them coming in the last four games.
The Twins snapped their own three-game slide with last night's outburst. With Liriano rounding back into form and the Mariners struggling offensively, I'll back the Minnesota southpaw in home revenge at a cheap price noting his 2.32 career ERA in five previous starts versus Seattle.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED---------GL GUYS
Al DeMarco Saturday's Play 5 Dime - Minnesota Twins
One of the keys to my success when it comes to baseball is reviewing every boxscore of every game on a daily basis, committing to memory the pitching lines of those starters that catch my attention. One such pitcher was Minnesota's Francisco Liriano, who after losing his first four starts of the season, allowing 17 earned runs in 21 innings pitched, seemingly turned the corner with a strong performance against Tampa on April 28 in which he held the Rays to two runs in 6 2/3 innings. But it was his next start this past Monday that made me commit to backing him today, an outing where he shutdown Detroit, fanning a season-high nine while holding the Tigers to two runs on four hits over 7 1/3 innings.
Tonight's game represents a rematch for Liriano of his first start of the season - also at home - against Seattle and Felix Hernandez. In that contest, the Minnesota lefthander absorbed the loss after allowing four hits and four runs in seven innings. For Hernandez, it marked a season-opening run of five straight wins as he limited the Twins to one run on five hits over eight innings.
Hernandez had his winning streak snapped in his last outing. Coming off a bout with the flu, the righthander was tagged for 10 hits and six earned runs by red-hot Texas at home. That contest started a Seattle losing streak that was extended to five in a row with last night's 11-0 loss as the Mariners have scored a total of nine runs in that period with only four of them coming in the last four games.
The Twins snapped their own three-game slide with last night's outburst. With Liriano rounding back into form and the Mariners struggling offensively, I'll back the Minnesota southpaw in home revenge at a cheap price noting his 2.32 career ERA in five previous starts versus Seattle.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED---------GL GUYS
