Service Plays Saturday 4/24/10

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[ugk]

NBA NEWS AND NOTES
GAME OF THE DAY
Lakers at Thunder Betting Preview
By Sean Murphy

Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder (-2, 193.5)

Series Story

If you only watched the first quarter of Game 1, you'd assume the Lakers were on their way to an easy series sweep.
Wrong.
Since being outscored by 14 points in the opening frame of their playoff debut, the Thunder hold an eight-point advantage over the last 11 quarters.
So what does it all add up to? A 2-1 Lakers series lead as we head into Game 4 on Saturday night in Oklahoma City.

Pointspread Mismatch

It shouldn’t surprise anyone the Thunder have grabbed the cash in two of the first three games of this series.
The Lakers have fallen to a miserable 34-48-3 ATS this season, while Oklahoma City checks in at a highly profitable 50-35 ATS.
The Thunder are now 5-2 ATS in seven meetings with the Lakers this season. The home team has won six of those seven games straight up.

Durant Doesn’t Disappoint

Kevin Durant got off to a bit of a slow start in Game 1, but since then he’s been simply brilliant, pouring in 61 points and 27 rebounds over the last two games.
Guarding Kobe Bryant seemed to spark his offensive game on Thursday night. After missing 15 of his first 19 shots, his second half scoring outburst re-energized the raucous Ford Center crowd and got his team back in the game after trailing by seven at halftime.
“Scoring’s a big part of my game. It kind of overshadows the other parts of my game,” Durant told reporters following Game 3. “But if I continue to play hard on both ends, it’s going to come around for me. I was able to get free and make a couple shots, and that’s what got us going.”
Kobe Bryant applauded Durant’s defensive effort in Game 3.
“It was a matchup that caught me by surprise. I think he did a great job.”

Looking For An Answer

The Lakers shouldn’t be too down on themselves. They’re still in the driver’s seat in this series, needing only to hold serve at home, where they’ve lost only seven times in 43 games this season.
Their ability to bounce back was key in last year’s championship run. Phil Jackson’s crew went a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS following a loss in the 2009 playoffs.
The Lakers found themselves in a similar situation in the opening round last spring. They won the first two games at home before dropping a narrow decision in Utah in Game 3. They answered with a decisive 108-94 victory in Game 4, and ultimately won the series in five games.
Things might be a little tougher this time around because the Thunder aren’t your typical eight-seed. Keep in mind, this is a team that won 50 games during the regular season.

Size Matters

The Lakers own the size advantage, but that didn’t translate into success on the glass on Thursday. They were outrebounded by a wide 53-39 margin.
The team that has won the rebounding battle has won the game in each of the last five matchups between these two.
"We have to take advantage of our size," Pau Gasol said following Game 3. "We can get better shots. I feel that way. Give them credit because they did their job, but we let the game slip from our hands when we had it under control."
So far in these playoffs, the Lakers rank sixth in rebounding margin while the Thunder check in at 11th.
If the Lakers can do a better job on the boards in Game 4, they might just earn the opportunity to end this series back home in Game 5.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

ICE PICKS

Saturday's Best NHL Bets

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators (+140, 5.5)

The Sens and Pens are running on empty after a thrilling triple-overtime contest Thursday night. Ottawa got the game-winning goal from Matt Carkner, sending the series back to Scotiabank Place with the Senators trailing 3-2.
“Definitely the biggest goal of my career,” Carkner told the media. “An unbelievable feeling after we battled hard all night. Three overtimes and we new it wasn’t going to be a pretty goal. I don’t even know how it went in.”
With just a day to recover from Thursday’s marathon and make the trip to Ottawa, both squads will be a little worse for the wear when the puck drops Saturday night. And making life tougher for goal scorers is the momentum both goalies carry over into Game 6.
Senators goaltender Pascal Leclaire played the game of his life, turning away 53 shots and keeping his cool against of the league’s top offensive attacks. Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was also terrific, making 40 saves in the loss.
“It’s huge for us. It’s a great feeling right now. The guys worked so hard. It was a fun night. It could have gone either way but we’ll take it,” Leclaire told reporters. “I tried to do my part and it worked out. But it’s over and
we’ve got a big challenge in a couple of days.”

Pick: Under


San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche (+160. 5.5)

There’s blood in the water and the San Jose Sharks can taste it.
The Sharks showed why they’re the top team in the West with a dominating 5-0 victory over the Avalanche in Game 5 Thursday night. San Jose scored three goals in the second period and never looked back, sending the series back to Colorado with a 3-2 lead.
The barrage of goals is a weight off the team’s back after needing overtime in two of its wins and getting shutout by Avs goaltender Craig Anderson despite firing 51 shots in Game 3. The Sharks were averaging just 2.25 goals in the first four games of the series – after scoring more than three goals a night during the regular season.
"Finally tonight, the puck went over the goal-line when we needed it to," Sharks coach Todd McLellan told CBC Sports. "I think we were probably better offensively in Game 3, and maybe even in Game 4 than we were tonight but finally got rewarded with five goals."
Breaking the backs of the Avalanche wasn’t easy, however, San Jose will continue to pound their opponent with offense Saturday night.

Pick: San Jose Sharks

 

[ugk]

PICK 'N' ROLL

Saturday's Best NBA Bets

Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder (-2, 194)

If there is one thing Kobe Bryant is guilty of in his illustrious NBA career, it is pride.
That trait reared its ugly head Thursday night, when Bryant constantly threw up shots despite being hampered by an injured index finger on his shooting hand. He finished with 24 points on 10-of-29 shooting including going 4-for-11 from beyond the arc.
“It is what it is, but you have less margin for error with the fundamentals of the shot,” Bryant told Yahoo Sports about shooting with the injury. “A lot of shots rim, come out and all that (bleep) now. The touch, it’s real finicky now. It’s just real finicky.”
For the series, Bryant is shooting just under 37 percent (28-for-76) from the field and may want to defer some of the scoring load to the forwards. Los Angeles’ big men have been nearly unstoppable in the paint. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum shot a combined 13-for-21 in Game 3, totaling 30 points.
Unless, Bryant puts his pride to the side, Los Angeles backers might get those same awful feelings from the Lakers’ 2004 Finals run, when Bryant constantly pressed for his shots, ignoring a dominant Shaquille O’Neal inside and eventually losing to the Detroit Pistons.

Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder


Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks (-1, 187)

Josh Smith may want to sit out the team meal Saturday after his recent comments, bashing the City of Milwaukee.
"There's pretty much nothing to do," Smith told reporters. "Miami has some really good restaurants. I never really did anything in Milwaukee. I would be happy to just find a restaurant. I'm not bashing the city but I've never actually did anything in Milwaukee so I really don't know what is around there."
Smith’s harsh words for Milwaukee come just days after outspoken Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah bashed the City of Cleveland, hoping to spark some friendly fire from the Cavaliers and their fans. But unlike Noah, Smith doesn’t feed off emotion and isn’t playing the role of underdog in this playoff series.
The Hawks athletic forward is coming on a monster game against the Bucks in Game 2. He scored 21 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and missed a triple-double by one assist, finishing with nine dimes in a 96-86 win as 7.5-point home favorites.
Barring food poisoning from one of Milwaukee’s finer establishments, Smith should do the same Saturday night.

Pick: Atlanta Hawks

 

[ugk]

NHL NEWS AND NOTES
Hockey Night In Canada Betting Preview
By JON KUIPERIJ

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators (+140, 5.5)

The Senators hope to stave off elimination once again when they host Pittsburgh in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final series Saturday.
Ottawa cut the Penguins' series lead to 3-2 with a 4-3 triple-overtime victory in Pittsburgh Thursday.

Leclaire Sailing

Defenseman Matt Carkner notched the overtime winner, but goalie Pascal Leclaire was the real hero for the Senators in Game 5.
Getting his first-ever playoff start in place of struggling No. 1 netminder Brian Elliott, Leclaire made 56 saves Thursday. That's not bad for someone who has only one other victory to his credit in 2010.
Expect Leclaire to be between the pipes again Saturday.
"He played outstanding," said Senators coach Cory Clouston. "He was confident, comfortable. I thought he was very square and poised. Boy, did he come through for us."

Time To Regroup

The Penguins probably deserved a better fate in Game 5.
Pittsburgh outshot the Senators 59-44 on the night, including 27-9 from late in the first period until Sidney Crosby put the Pens ahead 3-2 midway through the third frame.
Evgeni Malkin nearly won the game for Pittsburgh in the second overtime, firing a shot off the post.
"A lot happened with penalties and chances and posts, but that's just the way it works out," Crosby said. "Unfortunately, we didn't get it done here, but we've got to find a way to regroup and be ready to go to Ottawa."

Infirmary Report

Pittsburgh has lost two players to injury during the series and both are questionable for Saturday. Defenseman Jordan Leopold has missed three straight games with concussion-like symptoms after being hammered by Ottawa's Andy Sutton in Game 2.
Centre Tyler Kennedy missed Thursday's contest as he deals with a lower body injury suffered after falling awkwardly in Game 4.

Trends

The Penguins have won six of their last eight trips to Ottawa, including their past four playoff games there. The road team is 5-1 in the last six meetings between the clubs overall.
Four of the five games in this year's series have gone over the total.
Ottawa has gone over the total in seven of its last eight.

San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche (+158, 5.5)

San Jose has an opportunity to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years when it visits Colorado Saturday.
The Sharks took a 3-2 lead in the quarter-final series with a 5-0 rout of the Avalanche Thursday.

The Breakup

After watching his top line of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley struggle in the first four games of the series, San Jose coach Todd McLellan broke up the trio in Game 5.
McLellan inserted Torrey Mitchell into Heatley's place on the top line and had Logan Couture and Manny Malhotra play with Heatley on the third line.
The move paid off. Couture scored twice, the first goal coming on a pass by Heatley and the Sharks exploded for five goals after managing only two in their previous two games.
"Dany is unbelievable," said Couture. "He makes a lot of things happen."
Thornton remains quiet in the series, registering only two assists in the first five games.

Losing His Mojo?

Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson seemed to be in the Sharks' heads earlier in the series, making 51 saves to blank San Jose in Game 3 and adding another 43 saves in a 2-1 overtime loss in Game 4.
But the Sharks figured him out Thursday, beating him four times before Anderson was hooked in the third period.
"They won, we lost. Any time you lose is a tough night," said Anderson. "Bottom line, we need to do better. As a goalie, you can only do so much. I have to find a way to stop the puck."
Anderson bounced back well the last time the Sharks lit him up. His Herculean effort in Game 3 came two days after San Jose pumped six past him in Game 2.

Nabby In A Zone

Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov is quietly having an excellent series himself.
Outside of a five-goal hiccup in Game 2, Nabokov has held the Avalanche to two goals or less in the other four games. Two of the nine goals he's allowed in the series have been thanks to his defensemen - a deflection off Rob Blake in Game 1 and the infamous bad pass by Dan Boyle in overtime of Game 3.
Nabokov's shutout Thursday was the seventh postseason shutout of his career.

Paying The Penalty

Colorado isn't getting much help from the zebras in its upset quest.
San Jose has had 23 power plays through five games, while the Avalanche has only had 13.
Then again, when the play is in the Colorado end most of the time, such disparity can be expected. San Jose has outshot Colorado 211-131 in the series.
"Obviously, they've had more power plays than us, but if you look at the majority of the calls, they're being made in our defensive zone," Avs winger Matt Hendricks told reporters. "We're not getting the calls for obvious reasons. I think we as a team should try to get the puck down into their zone a little bit more. That's where the hard work comes in and they end up taking the penalties."
The Sharks have scored six power-play goals in the series.

Trends

The home team has won 9 of the last 11 meetings between the teams, but Colorado is 2-5 in its last seven at home.
Four of the five games in this year's series have gone under the total.

 

[ugk]

MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Fox Saturday Baseball
By Judd Hall

This week’s edition of Fox Saturday Baseball is the domain of the American League with both tilts emanating out of the Junior Circuit. Seattle heads to the Windy City for a showdown with the White Sox. Meanwhile, the Yankees continue their series with the Halos out in the OC.

Mariners at White Sox – 4:00 p.m. EDT

Most betting shops have posted the White Sox as $1.14 home favorites (risk $114 to win $100) with a total of nine. Gamblers can take the M’s for a nice plus-133 return (risk $100 to win $133).

Seattle (9-7, +230) was supposed to be the team to challenge the Angels for AL West supremacy. Well, the M’s are starting to look like that team the experts had expected. The Mariners are coming into this series having won seven of their last eight games. Even bettor for the gambling public is that they covered the run line in seven of those eight tests as well.

The Mariners are going to send Doug Fister (2-1, 1.42) out to the mound to start the second game of this three-game set. Fister (rough name to have when growing up) has shined in his last two starts, giving up just one earned run in 15 innings of work. Plus, he struck out seven while issuing one walk in those tilts at home against the Orioles and Athletics. Fister’s lone setback came on the road, where he lasted only four innings in a 6-2 decision in Oakland on April 8.

Fister has actually failed to show up when away from Safeco Field in his brief career. In five career road starts, he is 0-3 with an earned run average of 4.72. Compare that to a 5-2 mark and 2.87 ERA in eight home starts.

Chicago (4-9, -639) is looking for anything to make itself feel better right now after the debacle they just faced with the Rays in town. The White Sox won the series opener against Tampa Bay, but lost the final two games by a combined score of 22-2. And you know somewhere in U.S. Cellular Field, Ozzie Guillen has elevated himself to DEFCON 2.

The White Sox will be look to Freddy Garcia (0-2, 8.10) to turn around their fortunes. In his last start of the season, Garcia was rocked for seven earned runs in three innings of work on the road against the Blue Jays in a 7-3 loss on April 15. We shouldn’t be shocked by this outcome since his teams are 2-4 in his last six road tests. It doesn’t get better at home for Garcia, evidenced by a 2-5 record in his last seven home dates.

The Pale Hose have seen the ‘under’ go 5-3-1 at home this year. However, those last two games against the Rays both saw the ‘over’ cash tickets.

Seattle hasn’t shown too much on totals away from home with a 3-3-1 mark in seven road tilts.

The M’s have not done well on the road against AL Central clubs over the last two seasons, evidenced by an 18-32 record. That includes a 2-5 mark in their last seven games in this situation.

The head-to-head series of a year ago was owned by the Mariners, but barely as they went 5-4. Chicago has gone 5-1 in its last six home fixtures against Seattle. The ‘over’ is 4-2 in those contests.

Yankees at Angels – 4:00 p.m. EDT

Good times can’t keep going for everyone. Just ask the Yankees for proof of that right now. New York (11-4, +575) had a six-game win streak snapped by a 4-2 defeat against the A’s as a $1.75 road favorite on Thursday. As bad as that was, the fact that they’ve won all three of road series so far is pretty impressive.

New York will give the starting duties to Andy Pettitte (2-0, 1.35) on Saturday afternoon. Not a bad choice for the Yanks have won all three of his starts this season. In his last start, Pettitte went eight strong innings, giving up two earned runs en route to a 5-2 win over the Ranger at home on April 18.

Los Angeles (8-9, -237) are getting closer to breaking even, but not quite there yet. The Angels enter the series with the defending champs having lost two straight to Detroit. Bettors have taken note to play the ‘under’ recently with the Halos, as it has cashed in six of their last nine contests.

Joel Pineiro (2-1, 1.77) will be tasked with starting Game 2 against the Yanks. This isn’t a bad spot for the Angels to be tossing their No. 4 starter into the fray. Pineiro has won his last two starts with one of them coming at New York on April 14 (7.0 IP, 1 ER, 7K, 0BB).

The sportsbooks have installed the Yankees as $1.08 road favorites with a total of 9 ½. You can take the Halos to win for a plus-102 return.

Los Angeles does have the advantage of winning four of its last six regular season battles with the Bronx Bombers at home.

The ‘over’ is 6-3 in New York’s road games this season. However, the ‘under’ has cashed in the Yankees’ past two road tests and six times in their last eight games.

The Angels are 8-2 in their last 10 games as home pups to AL East foes, with the ‘over’ going 6-3-1. Tighten that up to facing left-handers and they’re 3-1, with two of those three wins coming against the Yanks.

 

[ugk]

HOT LINES

Saturday's Best MLB Bets

Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox (-200, 9)

In John Lackey’s last start, he only lasted 3.1 innings on the bump and surrendered eight earned runs to the white-hot Tampa Bay Rays.
The $18.7 million offseason acquisition will aim to rebound against the lowly Orioles and pull Boston into contention before the Rays and Yanks run away with the division.
"No one here is real happy with the way we are playing right now," Mike Lowell said after being booed at the conclusion of a 3-0 loss to the Rangers on Thursday. "But, I don't think we were down in the dumps."
The two-win Orioles may be just what the doctor ordered to remedy the Sox’s struggles. But this Saturday matchup might not be as much of a pushover as it appears to be.
Brian Matusz is the lone bright spot for Baltimore this season. The young lefty has helped his team to two wins this year and is 6-0 in his last eight starts.
Boston has scored three runs or fewer in half of its games this season while the O’s are hitting a dismal .225 on the year.

Pick: Under


St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants (+130, 7)

Well, it doesn’t look like San Franciscans are going to have to run Barry Zito out of town after all.
Zito was on the Alcatraz most wanted list for larceny after not living up to lofty expectations his first two and a half years as a multi-million dollar Giant.
His $18.5 million salary this season has been worth every penny, so far.
The surfer boy is 2-0 on the year with a 1.86 ERA. Zito would have been a flawless 3-0 in three starts had Manny Ramirez not pulled off one of his infamous pinch-hit, game-winning home run acts last week in L.A.
Zito has been awful in his career against the Red Birds, going 0-4 in five starts, but the streak has to end sometime, right?
This should be a tight ballgame with Adam Wainwright on the hill for St. Louis but the Gents will find a way to come away with this one late in the game.

Pick: SF Giants

 

[ugk]

NEWS AND NOTES
Bettor's Best Friend (BBF)
Saturday's Wagering Tips

Line Off The Board

Not many offshore outlets are offering a line on the Rangers-Tigers matchup Saturday. Scott Feldman was scratched from his start on Friday night (see note below) but is expected to take the mound in the second game of the series.

Lines To Keep An Eye On

Sportsbooks have seen a favorite reversed after money came in on the Bucks in Game 3 at home. Atlanta opened as 1-point chalk but now Milwaukee is laying the straight digit. The Hawks covered in the last two games in Brew City.
The opening total of 193 in the Lakers-Thunder game has jumped to 194 at most shops. Seven of the last 10 games in this series have gone under.
Boston was tabbed as -220 favorites against the Orioles on Saturday but that number has plummeted to as low as -195 in some markets.
The total in the Marlins-Rockies game has jumped a half run from its opener and now stands at 10. These two teams played to three consecutive overs heading into Friday.

Weather Report

The forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms in the Twins-Royals matchup Saturday. A light 11 mph wind will be blowing out to left field.
Wind from 13-15 mph will be blowing straight in from center field in the Marlins-Rockies game. Rain and snow could fall later in the evening.
Heavy rain forced play to be suspended during Friday's second round of the Zurich Classic. Fewer than one-third of the players in the field had finished their rounds before play was halted in the early afternoon. Officials finally suspended play for the day nearly five hours later. Lee Janzen, Alex Cejka and England's Brian Davis shared the lead at 7-under. Play is scheduled to resume at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, although more rain is in the forecast.

Who’s Hot

Since April 1, the Magic are 8-2 ATS.
The Penguins are averaging 4.33 goals per game over a six-game span.
San Diego is 7-3 SU in its last 10, earning 4.26 units on the moneyline.

Who’s Not

Colorado has been defeated in overtime four of the last five times it has gone into an extra period.
The Giants were on a four-game slide heading into Friday night’s action.
Charlotte is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games.

Key Stat

97.3 – Success rate base stealers are having against Boston Red Sox catchers and pitchers. The Rangers stole nine bases against Boston last Tuesday and the Sox have only gunned down one of 37 base stealers this season.

Injuries That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

Washington manager Jim Riggleman said it was doubtful that Ryan Zimmerman will be in the lineup for Saturday’s game versus the Dodgers. Zimmerman has been dealing with an injured hamstring this season but is expected to be available to pinch-hit if needed. He was replaced at third by Christian Guzman on Friday. The Nats primary offensive weapon, Zimmerman is hitting .341 this season with two jacks and 10 RBIs.

Games Of The Day

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators (+140, 5.5)
San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche (+158, 5.5)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz at Iowa Barnstormers (-4)

Notable Quotable

“I think there's a situation here that - favoritism on the NBA court, I don't think anybody's going to be deluded into thinking that people don't gets calls on the court regardless of how you say it. It's just a natural evolution of the game and a natural evolution of who gets the ball the most, and they're going to end up a lot of times at the foul line. Unfortunately it didn't work that way for Kobe [Bryant] last night but it did for Kevin [Durant]. But that's the way things go in this game. You have to accept it, swallow it, and move on."
-- Lakers coach Phil Jackson said about the fines he’s received from NBA Commissioner David Stern and whether or not he thinks the criticizing of officials should stop. If you’ve read Tim Donaghy’s book about NBA refs, this makes all too much sense.

Tips And Notes

- Rangers pitcher Scott Feldman missed his start on Friday with flu-like symptoms. He is expected to start Saturday but this isn’t the first time the Texas clubhouse has come down with the flu. C.J. Wilson had a start scratched last week because of the flu and three other members of the Rangers team came down with the illness. The virus is obviously still going around the Rangers’ locker room and bettors should be careful until it’s gone.
- Home-court advantage in the NBA is generally worth 2-3 points. Handicappers might want to tack on another half point or more for the Thunderdome in Oklahoma City. On Thursday, the crowd of 18,342 reached a decibel level of 109. That game sold out in 13 minutes so these Thunder fans are giddy about their team. Kevin Durant said, "That's truly the meaning of home-court advantage." The crowd powered OKC to a come-from-behind victory that night and the sea of blue could do it again Saturday.
- After a 19-point trouncing at home, Nate McMillan might be shaking up his lineup for Portland’s game Saturday. Rumors are swirling that Jerryd Bayless could start at the point and Martell Webster could take the spot of Rudy Fernandez at shooting guard. Fernandez is 6-of-17 from the field in the series. The Blazers winning blueprint in Game 1 was to slow the Suns pace of play. It worked that night but not so much in Game 2. If Bayless and Webster start today, expect to see a more up-tempo and possibly higher-scoring affair.

 

[Grecman]

Anyway we can get langs picks?

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with the Celtics (+4) Friday night.

Saturday it's the Hawks. The deficit is 195 sirignanos.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports
435 - 316 run 59 %

Bonus Play Sat Houston Astro's

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NBA

Season
Straight Up: 831-361 (.697)
ATS: 636-592 (.518)
ATS Vary Units: 1501-1418 (.514)
Over/Under: 606-629 (.491)
Over/Under Vary Units: 798-824 (.492)

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 3, best-of-7 series
Orlando 96, CHARLOTTE 91
MILWAUKEE 96, Atlanta 94
Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 4, best-of-7 series
OKLAHOMA CITY 102, L.A. Lakers 98
PORTLAND 105, Phoenix 104

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NHL

Season: 433-291 (.598)

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 6, best-of-7 series
Pittsburgh vs. OTTAWA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 6, best-of-7 series
San Jose 3, COLORADO 2
Game 5, best-of-7 series
Nashville vs. CHICAGO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPORTS ADVISORS

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

NBA PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

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

The Magic try to extend their winning streak to nine and go up 3-0 on the Bobcats when they visit Charlotte Bobcats Arena for Game 3 of this best-of-7 Eastern Conference first-round series.
Orlando got Game 1 on Sunday 98-89, but came up just short as a 10-point home favorite, then the Magic crushed the Bobcats 92-77 in Game 2, easily cashing as a nine-point chalk and improving to 7-1 ATS during their eight-game winning streak. Orlando had all five starters score in double digits, led by Vince Carter’s 19 points. Defensively, they held the Bobcats to 43.9 percent shooting and allowed just three players to reach double figures in points. The Magic are 25-16 on the highway this season (22-18-1 ATS) and have won eight of their last 10 on the road (7-3 ATS) The Bobcats are 31-10 at home (23-18 ATS) this season but they are a stellar 11-2 in the last 13, including 9-4 ATS. Charlotte did drop its regular-season finale at home, losing 98-89 to the Bulls as a 1½-point underdog, but it was 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 Sixers 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). Orlando has beaten the Bobcats nine of the last 10. The Magic are 5-3 ATS in the last eight meetings, but the road team is 5-1 ATS in the past six series clashes. Orlando is just 1-4 ATS in its last five as a playoff favorite, but it is on positive pointspread surges of 7-1 overall, 6-2 on the road, 48-23-1 on Saturday, 20-7 against the Eastern Conference, 19-6-1 as a favorite, 6-0 as a road favorite and 4-0 after getting two days off. Charlotte is just 2-5 in its last seven overall, 1-4-1 ATS in its last six as a ‘dog and 1-4-1 ATS in its last six on Saturday, but it is on positive ATS streaks of 7-1-1 against the Southeast Division, 6-2-1 after a straight-up loss, 7-3 after a spread-cover and 11-5 at home against teams with winning road records. The Magic have topped the total in seven of 10 on Saturday and five of seven after a spread-cover, but they are on “under” runs of 28-13-2 as a favorite, 10-4-1 against Southeast Division teams, 8-3 after getting two days off and 3-0-1 as a playoff favorite. The Bobcats are on “over” streaks of 7-3 at home, 3-1-1 after a non-cover and 5-2 at home against teams with winning road records, but they are also on “under” streaks of 13-6-1 against the Eastern Conference, 11-3-1 against teams with winning records and 10-1-1 as an underdog. In this series, the under has cashed in 10 of the last 14 meetings, including five of six in Charlotte, and Wednesday’s Game 2 easily stayed low.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER


Atlanta (2-0 SU and ATS) at Milwaukee (0-2 SU and ATS)

The Bucks return home to the Bradley Center in a must-win situation for Game 3 of this best-of-7 opening round series against the Hawks, who have won six in a row dating to the regular season. Atlanta posted a pair of 10-point victories in Games 1 and 2, taking the opener 102-92 as an 8½-point favorite last Saturday, followed by Tuesday’s 96-86 victory as a 7½-point chalk. Joe Johnson (27 points, 6 assists), Josh Smith (21 points, 14 rebounds) and Al Horford (20 points, 10 rebounds) carried the weight in Game 2 for the Hawks, who have cashed in five straight during their current six-game win streak. John Salmons (21 points) was the only player to crack 20 points for Milwaukee on Tuesday, which hit just 37 of 90 shots (41.1 percent) and was 8 of 14 from the free-throw line (57.1 percent), while Atlanta got to the charity stripe 20 times and made 17 (85 percent). The only edge for the Bucks came on the glass, as they outrebounded the Hawks 47-40. Both teams struggled from long distance, with Milwaukee a meager 4-for-24 on 3-pointers (16.7 percent) and Atlanta 3-for-11 (27.3 percent). Atlanta improved to 36-7 SU at home this year with the two wins in this series, but on the road, the Hawks went just 19-22 SU (23-18 ATS) in regular-season play, averaging 98.8 ppg on 46.4 percent shooting, while allowing just a tick less at 98.0 ppg (46.5 percent). Milwaukee was 28-13 SU (24-16-1 ATS) at the Bradley Center, averaging 99.9 ppg on 43.9 percent shooting and giving up 96.6 ppg on 45.6 percent shooting. However, The Bucks lost their final two regular-season home games SU and ATS – to Boston and Atlanta, respectively – following a 12-2 SU and 9-4-1 ATS run at home. Atlanta is 5-1 SU and ATS in the last six meetings with Milwaukee, cashing in the last four in a row (3-1 SU). The chalk is on an 11-3-1 ATS tear in this rivalry, and the SU winner is 13-3-1 ATS in the last 17 meetings. Also, in Atlanta’s last 20 playoff contests, the SU winner is a torrid 19-0-1 ATS. Along with their current 5-0 ATS run, the Hawks are on pointspread sprees of 9-1 against the Central Division, 9-1 against winning teams, 12-2 following a SU win, 6-1 after a spread-cover and 5-1 in first-round playoff games. However, Atlanta is also in ATS ruts of 0-4-1 as a playoff pup and 5-12 as a road ‘dog of up less than five points. The Bucks are on a 1-8-1 ATS freefall in first-round playoff games (0-4 last four) and are 1-5 ATS in their last six 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 34-15-2 overall, 9-2 after a road trip of seven or more days, 8-2 on Saturday, 20-8 after a SU loss and 20-8-2 laying points (4-1 as a home chalk). Tuesday’s game went stayed the posted price of 188, snapping a nine-game “over” surge in this rivalry. Still, the total has gone high in the last four Milwaukee clashes between these two. Atlanta is on “over” runs of 15-4 after a SU win, 6-1 against winning teams, 6-1 as a pup (all on the road) and 5-1 after three or more days off, but the under is 6-2 in the Hawks’ last eight against the Central Division and 7-1 in their last eight as a playoff pup. Milwaukee is on “over” streaks of 5-2 overall, 8-1 against winning teams, 13-4-2 in first-round playoff games (5-1 last six), 5-0-1 at home, 8-1 against winning teams and 37-15-1 after three or more days off. On the flip side, the under is 10-4 in the Bucks’ last 14 against the Southeast Division.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER


WESTERN CONFERENCE

L.A. Lakers (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) at Oklahoma City (1-2 SU, 2-1 ATS)

The eighth-seeded Thunder will try to even this best-of-7 Western Conference opening-round series when they take on the Lakers inside the Ford Center for Game 4. The Thunder used a 58-46 second half to get the Game 3 victory, winning 101-96 as a 3½-point favorite in the city’s first NBA playoff game. Oklahoma City got 29 points and 19 rebounds from regular-season scoring champ Kevin Durant, and 27 points and eight rebounds from point guard Russell Westbrook. The Thunder outrebounded the Lakers 53-39, just two days after getting drilled on the boards in Game 2 in Los Angeles, 49-37. Also, Oklahoma City outscored L.A. 27-10 at the foul line. The Lakers are 23-19 (17-24-1 ATS) on the road this season, but they’ve dropped five of six (SU and ATS) overall on the highway. Inside the Ford Center, the Thunder are now 28-14 (23-19 ATS), including an ongoing 12-3 SU run (9-6 ATS). This is the Thunder’s first playoff series since 2005 when the franchise was the Seattle SuperSonics and they reached the Western Conference semifinals, losing to the Spurs 4-2 (3-3 ATS), after beating Sacramento 4-1 (3-2 ATS) in the opening round. The Lakers’ march to the title last season included a 4-1 (2-3 ATS) series win over the Jazz, 4-3 (SU and ATS) over the Rockets, 4-2 (3-3 ATS) over the Nuggets and then 4-1 (SU and ATS) over the Magic in the NBA Finals. L.A. has reached the postseason five straight times and 15 times in the last 16 years.
The Lakers have still won 14 of the last 16 (6-10 ATS) in this rivalry. However, the Thunder have cashed in five of the seven meetings this season, including all three games played inside the Ford Center. Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in its last five as a playoff underdog, but it is on several ATS skids, including 1-5 on the road, 2-8 as a road ‘dog of less than five points, 3-13-1 after one day off and 1-5 against Western Conference rivals. Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS in its last five after a spread cover, but it is on positive pointspread runs of 6-1 after one day off, 13-3 as a favorite of up less than five points, 20-9 against winning teams and 4-1 on Saturday. The Lakers are on a plethora of “under” streaks, including 7-3 overall, 18-7 against the Western Conference, 11-3 as an underdog, 23-7 against Northwest Division foes and 11-3 as road ‘dogs. The Thunder have topped the total in 10 of 15 as a favorite and 12 of 17 after a spread-cover, but they are on “under” runs of 4-2 as a favorite and 18-8-1 at home against teams with winning records. In this series, the under has been the play in four of the last six in Oklahoma City, four of the last six overall and two of the first three games in this series, with Game 3 hurdling the 192-point total.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER


Phoenix (2-1 SU and ATS) at Portland (1-2 SU and ATS)

The Suns look to take a commanding 3-1 advantage in this best-of-7 Western Conference first-round series when they meet the Trail Blazers for Game 4 inside the Rose Garden. After a stunning defeat in Game 1 in Phoenix, the Suns have throttled the Blazers in the last two contests, winning 119-90 on Tuesday as an 8½-point home favorite and then rolling to a 108-89 road win in Game 3 on Thursday, cashing as a 1½-point underdog. Phoenix shot 52.9 percent from the floor Thursday and got 42 points from Jason Richardson on 13-for 19 shooting. Amare Stoudemire chipped in 20 points and Steve Nash added 13 points and 10 assists, as the Suns opened with a 34-16 first quarter and never looked back. Phoenix is 23-19 (24-18 ATS) away from home this season and has won eight of its last 10 on the road (6-4 ATS). The Blazers are 26-16 in the Pacific Northwest (19-22-1 ATS) and they’ve still won seven of their last 10 at home (5-5 ATS). Phoenix is back in the postseason after missing out last year, and this is the Suns’ 19th postseason appearances in the last 22 years. 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.
The season series is now tied 3-3 (3-2-1 ATS for Portland), but the road team has won three of the last five meetings, including two of three (SU and ATS) in this series. The chalk has cashed in 19 of the last 29 battles between these two, and the home team is riding a 6-3-1 ATS streak in the last 10. Phoenix is just 2-7 ATS in its last nine as a playoff favorite of up less than five points and 0-6 ATS in its last six on Saturday, but it is on ATS surges of 27-10-1 overall, 13-5 on the road, 36-17-1 after a day off, 14-5-1 after a spread-cover and 11-3 on the road against teams with a winning home record. Portland is just 2-6 ATS in its last eight at home against teams with winning road records, but it is on positive pointspread streaks of 4-1 after a straight-up loss, 31-4 as a home underdog and 22-10 as a home pup of less than five points. The Suns have topped the total in four of five as a chalk and 7-3 in playoff first-round games, but they are on “under” runs of 7-2-1 as a road underdog, 4-0-1 on the road and 9-3-1 on Saturday. The Blazers have gone over the total in four of five overall and four of five against the Western Conference, but they are on “under” streaks of 12-5 at home, 5-1 after a straight-up loss and 8-1 at home against teams with a winning road record. In this rivalry, the over is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings in Portland, 5-3 in the last eight overall and 2-1 in this playoff series, with Game 3 coming up just short of the 204-point total.

ATS ADVANTAGE: PHOENIX


NATIONAL LEAGUE

St. Louis (10-6) at San Francisco (9-7)

Adam Wainwright (3-0, 1.50 ERA) goes after his fourth victory on the young season when he leads the Cardinals against Barry Zito (2-0, 1.86) and the Giants in the middle game of a weekend series at AT&T Park. Behind yet another dominating pitching effort from ace Tim Lincecum, San Francisco rolled to a 4-1 victory Friday, snapping a four-game losing skid. The Giants offense, which was averaging 6.2 runs through the first 11 games of 2010, has generated a combined nine runs during their 1-4 slump. Bruce Bochy’s squad has also dropped five of six on Saturday, but it is on positive streaks of 9-2 at home, 7-1 against the N.L. Central and 10-4 versus right-handed starters
The Cardinals had arrived in the Bay Area on a 3-1 roll, tallying 25 runs in the process. However, St. Louis has now lost six of eight to N.L. West foes, five of seven against left-handed starters and four straight on the road versus southpaws. The Giants barely won the season series from St. Louis last year, taking four of seven meetings, and San Francisco is 7-3 in the last 10 clashes (3-1 in the last four at AT&T Park). Wainwright is coming off his first complete game of the season, knocking off the Mets 5-3 at home on Sunday. The veteran right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out nine. Going back to early September, Wainwright has delivered nine straight quality starts – at least six innings pitched and three earned runs or fewer allowed – and he’s surrendered two earned runs or less in eight of those nine contests. During this stretch, Wainwright has amassed 72 strikeouts against just 13 walks in 67 innings. With Wainwright on the mound, the hill, the Cardinals are on incredible runs of 40-16 overall, 21-6 on the road, 25-5 against winning teams and 9-3 on Saturday. In his only road outing this season, he pitched St. Louis to a 6-3 win at Cincinnati, allowing two runs on three hits in seven innings, and he’s now allowed five earned runs in his last four road starts covering 30 innings (1.50 ERA). Also, Wainwright is 1-2 with a 3.71 ERA in five lifetime appearances (three starts) against the Giants, but the one victory came at home last July when he scattered six hits and three walks while striking out 12 in a 2-1 triumph. Zito pitched a gem on Sunday in Los Angeles, holding the Dodgers to a run on four hits in 7 1/3 innings, and though he departed with a 1-0 lead, the bullpen immediately squandered it, surrendering a two-run homer to pinch-hitter Manny Ramirez, and the Giants fell, 2-1. All three of Zito’s starts have been quality efforts this season, including a 9-3 win over the Pirates in his only home outing (three runs allowed in six innings). San Francisco has won five of Zito’s last seven starts overall, six of his last eight at home and 14 of 17 when he pitches in the second game of a series, but the Giants are 7-19 in Zito’s last 26 against the N.L. Central. That includes four losses to the Cardinals, against whom Zito is 0-4 with a 5.56 ERA in five starts (four with San Francisco, one with Oakland). The Cardinals are batting a robust .339 all-time against the Las Vegas native. The Cardinals remain on “under” runs of 10-4 overall, 4-1 against left-handed starters and 3-0-1 on Saturday. However, with Wainwright pitching, the over is on surges of 5-2 overall, 13-6-2 on the road and 8-3-1 on Saturday. The Giants also carry “under” trends of 5-0 overall, 19-7-3 versus the N.L. Central, 6-1-1 when Zito faces N.L. Central opponents and 3-0-1 when Zito works on Saturday. However, San Francisco is also on “over” runs of 5-2-1 at home and 7-3-2 against right-handed starters.
Finally, nine of the last 14 battles between these teams, including five of the last seven in San Francisco, have jumped over the posted total.

ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN FRANCISCO and OVER

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Eafra Soccer 53-35-7 (1-2)

1* Manchester United UNDER 3, England Premier League at 7:45am EST

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SBP Soccer 9-7 (yesterday not listed)


England Championship
Win bet Cardiff City* (v Sheffield Wednesday)

Belgium Jupiler
Win bet Cercle Brugge* (v Lokeren)

Germany Bundesliga
Win bet Schalke* (v Herta Berlin)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

protipster

24.04.2010 England League One Millwall - Leyton Millwall -1
24.04.2010 Spain Primera Barcelona - Xerez Barcelona -2
24.04.2010 Ukraine Premier League Karpaty - Dynamo Kiev Dynamo Kiev
24.04.2010 Spain Primera Zaragoza - Real Madrid Real -1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

rw sports

english league
man utd - spurs, spurs +1, 1 unit, 2.10 @ bet 365
man utd - spurs, ht/ft x/1, 0.5 units, 4.33 @ bet 365
man utd - spurs, under 3, 0.5 units, 1.62 @ 5dimes
west ham - wigan, over 2.5, 1 unit, 2.07 @ pinnacle
arsenal - man city, under 2.75, 1 unit, 2.09 @ pinnacle

spanish league
(parlay) barcelona - xerez, barcelona to win &
zaragoza - real madrid, under 3.5, 2 units, 1.93 @ 5dimes

notes
* ht/ft = half time/full time
* odds are in european/decimal format

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Let me send out a thank you to Bdevil for the great job he's doing with his soccer thread and everyone there who posts soccer plays. Yes, soccer is a sport and we have services out there releasing plays, I'll post the records Bdevil has been keeping in the chatter thread. Being Italian born you know I love my soccer! So thank you, it's much appreciated by me and all the forums.:toast:

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bulgarian Paid service

Betis Sevilla - CF Elche:Win bet Betis @1,80

Sassuolo - Ancona:Win bet Sassuolo@1,7

Prestatyn - Lianelli:Win bet Lianelli @1,85

Burghausen - Aue:Win bet Aue@2,2

Bnei Yehuda - M. Tel Aviv:Win bet M. Tel Aviv@1,95

Peterhead - Alloa:Win bet Alloa@2,1