wayne root is trying to even out the books......lmao
Craig Davis
Craig Davis Sunday's Lineup
40 Dime ---- CUBS -1 1/2 RUN LINE (Must have Harden as listed pitcher or this play is void!)
10 Dime ---- CELTICS
CUBS -1 1/2 RUN LINE (MUST LIST RICH HARDEN) --- I honestly don't know where to begin. There are so many reasons I like this game that I'm asking you to step up your wager this afternoon.
Being a former pitcher myself, I usually tend to look at the pitching matchup... and I can't help but think this Rich Harden vs. Brian "My WHIP is over 2" Moehler is way too one-sided. I realize Rich Harden isn't off to the greatest start, but watching him pitch in his last two outings gives me more than enough confidence to back him against the run line at home today. His ERA might be sitting above 4 right now, but the last time he finished a season with an ERA anywhere close to where it's at now was back in 2006 with Oakland (4.24, still respectable).
In his last two starts, Harden has gone at least six innings, allowing a total of 12 hits and 5 ER in 13 innings of work (both wins). In fact, the Cubs have won his last five starts by an average of four runs per game, even if he didn't get credit for the win. His last meeting with the Astros was just a few short weeks ago when he allowed three earned in seven innings as the Cubs won 6-3 down in Houston. Harden has 11 career starts at Wrigley Field (58 innings), posting a 3.22 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and an opponent's batting average of just .192. Brilliant.
Now, for Brian Moehler... could we get any luckier. I can tell you that I haven't liked this guy from the moment I watched him pitch in his first game and the same holds true today. Okay, so I realize his season ERA is a bit inflated because of his first two starts... that still doesn't take away the fact that he allowed 7 and 5 ERs in less than 3 innings of work during his first two starts of the season. Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention one of those incredibly bad outings was against Chicago in April. Yes, he's pitched better recently, but those games were against Washington and San Diego... hardly the same as what Chicago's offense can bring to the table, not to mention the fact the Astros are 0-5 in Moehler's last five road starts overall and as a dog.
After scraping out a 5-4 win yesterday, you can bet the Cubs would love nothing more than to save their bullpen by giving Harden a big lead to work with early on. The Cubs love playing at home, winning nearly two of every three they play at Wrigley, and today should be no different. Like I mentioned, the Cubs are 5-0 in Harden's last five starts, 13-3 in Harden's last 16 starts as the favorite, 5-0 in their last five vs. a team with a losing record, and 5-1 in their last six at home vs. a righty.
I simply have not been overly impressed by the Astros bats lately (19 UNDERS and just 13 OVERS) and, again, I have absolutely no confidence on Brian Moehler whatsoever. I could easily see this thing being something like 8-3 or 9-4 in favor of Chicago. Absolutely love this play on the Cubs -1 1/2 today and it's easily my top MLB play of the last week.
BOSTON CELTICS --- As easy as it would be for me to jump all over the LA Lakers like the rest of the country, I'm going to stay away from that game because I could easily see one of those cheap backdoor covers and I don't want any part of it. Instead, I'll take my chances with the Boston Celtics to win by a mere 3 or 4 points in Game 7 at home today.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Boston is going to come out and absolutely dominate Orlando today because I don't think they will. I think this game could easily come down to a free throw shooting contest in the final minutes until Boston finally pulls away. I realize the size advantage Orlando has inside, but I can't help but recognize the advantage Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo have over Orlando's guards and small forwards. These three helped the Celtics to get where they got last year, and when crunch time comes calling who would you rather have running the show: those three or Rafer Alston, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu? No disrespect meant for the Orlando trio, but come on, be serious.
I'll take the veteran trio any day of the week and I believe you would as well. The Celtics have been pushed to the brink of elimination before and it's becoming somewhat second nature to them. Las year vs. Atlanta and this year vs. Chicago. Just when it looked like they were down and out, they put it all together for a Game 7 domination and I see nothing different today. Boston is kicking themselves for not finishing off the Magic in Game 6 (a game they led most of the way), but they won't let another one slip away at home today. Celts win by 7-10 points today and move on to face the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED---------------GL GUYS
Craig Davis Sunday's Lineup
40 Dime ---- CUBS -1 1/2 RUN LINE (Must have Harden as listed pitcher or this play is void!)
10 Dime ---- CELTICS
CUBS -1 1/2 RUN LINE (MUST LIST RICH HARDEN) --- I honestly don't know where to begin. There are so many reasons I like this game that I'm asking you to step up your wager this afternoon.
Being a former pitcher myself, I usually tend to look at the pitching matchup... and I can't help but think this Rich Harden vs. Brian "My WHIP is over 2" Moehler is way too one-sided. I realize Rich Harden isn't off to the greatest start, but watching him pitch in his last two outings gives me more than enough confidence to back him against the run line at home today. His ERA might be sitting above 4 right now, but the last time he finished a season with an ERA anywhere close to where it's at now was back in 2006 with Oakland (4.24, still respectable).
In his last two starts, Harden has gone at least six innings, allowing a total of 12 hits and 5 ER in 13 innings of work (both wins). In fact, the Cubs have won his last five starts by an average of four runs per game, even if he didn't get credit for the win. His last meeting with the Astros was just a few short weeks ago when he allowed three earned in seven innings as the Cubs won 6-3 down in Houston. Harden has 11 career starts at Wrigley Field (58 innings), posting a 3.22 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and an opponent's batting average of just .192. Brilliant.
Now, for Brian Moehler... could we get any luckier. I can tell you that I haven't liked this guy from the moment I watched him pitch in his first game and the same holds true today. Okay, so I realize his season ERA is a bit inflated because of his first two starts... that still doesn't take away the fact that he allowed 7 and 5 ERs in less than 3 innings of work during his first two starts of the season. Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention one of those incredibly bad outings was against Chicago in April. Yes, he's pitched better recently, but those games were against Washington and San Diego... hardly the same as what Chicago's offense can bring to the table, not to mention the fact the Astros are 0-5 in Moehler's last five road starts overall and as a dog.
After scraping out a 5-4 win yesterday, you can bet the Cubs would love nothing more than to save their bullpen by giving Harden a big lead to work with early on. The Cubs love playing at home, winning nearly two of every three they play at Wrigley, and today should be no different. Like I mentioned, the Cubs are 5-0 in Harden's last five starts, 13-3 in Harden's last 16 starts as the favorite, 5-0 in their last five vs. a team with a losing record, and 5-1 in their last six at home vs. a righty.
I simply have not been overly impressed by the Astros bats lately (19 UNDERS and just 13 OVERS) and, again, I have absolutely no confidence on Brian Moehler whatsoever. I could easily see this thing being something like 8-3 or 9-4 in favor of Chicago. Absolutely love this play on the Cubs -1 1/2 today and it's easily my top MLB play of the last week.
BOSTON CELTICS --- As easy as it would be for me to jump all over the LA Lakers like the rest of the country, I'm going to stay away from that game because I could easily see one of those cheap backdoor covers and I don't want any part of it. Instead, I'll take my chances with the Boston Celtics to win by a mere 3 or 4 points in Game 7 at home today.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Boston is going to come out and absolutely dominate Orlando today because I don't think they will. I think this game could easily come down to a free throw shooting contest in the final minutes until Boston finally pulls away. I realize the size advantage Orlando has inside, but I can't help but recognize the advantage Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo have over Orlando's guards and small forwards. These three helped the Celtics to get where they got last year, and when crunch time comes calling who would you rather have running the show: those three or Rafer Alston, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu? No disrespect meant for the Orlando trio, but come on, be serious.
I'll take the veteran trio any day of the week and I believe you would as well. The Celtics have been pushed to the brink of elimination before and it's becoming somewhat second nature to them. Las year vs. Atlanta and this year vs. Chicago. Just when it looked like they were down and out, they put it all together for a Game 7 domination and I see nothing different today. Boston is kicking themselves for not finishing off the Magic in Game 6 (a game they led most of the way), but they won't let another one slip away at home today. Celts win by 7-10 points today and move on to face the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED---------------GL GUYS
Bob Valentino Sean Michaels
Bob Valentino Sunday's 40 Dime NBA Playoffs winner ... 40 DIME -- L.A. LAKERS (minus the points vs. Houston Rockets)
NOTE: As always, be sure to shop around and get the best of the number! Never lay more on a favorite than you have to or take back less than you can on an underdog!
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED-----------GL GUYS
Bob Valentino Sunday's 40 Dime NBA Playoffs winner ... 40 DIME -- L.A. LAKERS (minus the points vs. Houston Rockets)
NOTE: As always, be sure to shop around and get the best of the number! Never lay more on a favorite than you have to or take back less than you can on an underdog!
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED-----------GL GUYS
Jeff Benton
Sunday's NBA winner ... 30 DIME: LAKERS (minus the points vs. Rockets)
Lakers
Let me start with this statement: There is absolutely no reason – not one – that the Lakers should be playing this game today. They should be completely embarrassed that they’ve let the Rockets – with no Yao Ming and no Tracy McGrady – push this series to a Game 7. And there is no denying the fact that 100 percent of the pressure today is on Kobe Bryant and his teammates, while Houston is in a total nothing-to-lose situation.
All this said – and giving all the credit in the world to the Rockets, who have shown a lot of heart over the past week – L.A. is not losing this game today. Not only are the Lakers not losing, they’re going to crush the Rockets in much the same way they did in that 40-point Game 5 rout in Hollywood.
How can I be so confident? For one thing, the Lakers aren’t just inconsistent anymore; they’re officially now consistently inconsistent. Let me explain: Four times in these playoffs, Los Angeles has taken the court unprepared, unmotivated, arrogant and/or a combination of all three. But in the very next game after each of those four losses, Phil Jackson’s squad got its act together and did so in a big way.
Remember when the Lakers lost Game 3 at Utah in the opening round by an 88-86 score? Remember what happened in Game 4? L.A. rolled to a 108-94 win as a five-point road favorite. Then there was the stunning eight-point home loss to Houston in the opener of this series. Game 2 result: Lakers 111, Rockets 98, with L.A. cashing as a 12-point chalk. Finally, Los Angeles followed up that Game 4 clunker in Houston (99-88 setback as a 7½-point road favorite) with the 40-point blowout win in Game 5 back at home.
See where I’m going when I say “consistently inconsistent”? That’s a pretty damn strong pattern right there, and it’s a pattern that will continue today.
Now consider this: Take away the Game 1 upset by Houston in Los Angeles – and don’t forget, Kobe Bryant was sick that night and the Lakers were coming off a lengthy layoff after eliminating Utah – the Lakers have hosted the Rockets four other times this season. They won those five games by margins of 29, 12, 13 and 40 points, holding Houston to an average of just 84,8 ppg. Going back to last year and including the Game 1 loss in this series, L.A. is 5-1 SU and ATS against Houston when serving as the host in Southern California.
Finally, if you believe that the Lakers are going to win this game outright, this final stat should convince you that they’re going to cash as well: In the last 12 meetings between these squads, the team that won the game covered the spread … all 12 times! What’s more, since Houston’s eight-point win in Game 1, the last five games in this series have been double-digit blowouts.
Don’t be scared off by this big number, folks. Even though the Lakers should’ve finished this series off long ago, they’ll take care of business today – and do it in dominating fashion. Lay the chalk.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED--------------GL GUYS
Sunday's NBA winner ... 30 DIME: LAKERS (minus the points vs. Rockets)
Lakers
Let me start with this statement: There is absolutely no reason – not one – that the Lakers should be playing this game today. They should be completely embarrassed that they’ve let the Rockets – with no Yao Ming and no Tracy McGrady – push this series to a Game 7. And there is no denying the fact that 100 percent of the pressure today is on Kobe Bryant and his teammates, while Houston is in a total nothing-to-lose situation.
All this said – and giving all the credit in the world to the Rockets, who have shown a lot of heart over the past week – L.A. is not losing this game today. Not only are the Lakers not losing, they’re going to crush the Rockets in much the same way they did in that 40-point Game 5 rout in Hollywood.
How can I be so confident? For one thing, the Lakers aren’t just inconsistent anymore; they’re officially now consistently inconsistent. Let me explain: Four times in these playoffs, Los Angeles has taken the court unprepared, unmotivated, arrogant and/or a combination of all three. But in the very next game after each of those four losses, Phil Jackson’s squad got its act together and did so in a big way.
Remember when the Lakers lost Game 3 at Utah in the opening round by an 88-86 score? Remember what happened in Game 4? L.A. rolled to a 108-94 win as a five-point road favorite. Then there was the stunning eight-point home loss to Houston in the opener of this series. Game 2 result: Lakers 111, Rockets 98, with L.A. cashing as a 12-point chalk. Finally, Los Angeles followed up that Game 4 clunker in Houston (99-88 setback as a 7½-point road favorite) with the 40-point blowout win in Game 5 back at home.
See where I’m going when I say “consistently inconsistent”? That’s a pretty damn strong pattern right there, and it’s a pattern that will continue today.
Now consider this: Take away the Game 1 upset by Houston in Los Angeles – and don’t forget, Kobe Bryant was sick that night and the Lakers were coming off a lengthy layoff after eliminating Utah – the Lakers have hosted the Rockets four other times this season. They won those five games by margins of 29, 12, 13 and 40 points, holding Houston to an average of just 84,8 ppg. Going back to last year and including the Game 1 loss in this series, L.A. is 5-1 SU and ATS against Houston when serving as the host in Southern California.
Finally, if you believe that the Lakers are going to win this game outright, this final stat should convince you that they’re going to cash as well: In the last 12 meetings between these squads, the team that won the game covered the spread … all 12 times! What’s more, since Houston’s eight-point win in Game 1, the last five games in this series have been double-digit blowouts.
Don’t be scared off by this big number, folks. Even though the Lakers should’ve finished this series off long ago, they’ll take care of business today – and do it in dominating fashion. Lay the chalk.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED--------------GL GUYS
Bill Marzano
Orlando at Boston
Pick: Boston -2.5
I really like the Boston Celtics @ home in this game 7 vs the Orlando Magic...this has been a great series but I have to believe the C's @ home in this game have all the advantages...Orlando won't go quietly but neither will Boston...R.Allen has had a horrible series averaging just over 11 ppg...P.Pierce hasn't had the best series either but look for the 2 of them to play big today and be the difference in the Celtics moving on to face Cleveland...the Magic are 4-14 ATS in the last 18 meetings in Boston...Boston is 17-3 all time @ home in game 7 at home...Boston is the play here
Orlando at Boston
Pick: Boston -2.5
I really like the Boston Celtics @ home in this game 7 vs the Orlando Magic...this has been a great series but I have to believe the C's @ home in this game have all the advantages...Orlando won't go quietly but neither will Boston...R.Allen has had a horrible series averaging just over 11 ppg...P.Pierce hasn't had the best series either but look for the 2 of them to play big today and be the difference in the Celtics moving on to face Cleveland...the Magic are 4-14 ATS in the last 18 meetings in Boston...Boston is 17-3 all time @ home in game 7 at home...Boston is the play here
<TABLE style="TABLE-LAYOUT: fixed" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="85%" height="100%">DOC
4 Units Detroit Red Wings -1.5
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smalltext vAlign=bottom width="85%"><TABLE style="TABLE-LAYOUT: fixed" width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=smalltext width="100%" colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
4 Units Detroit Red Wings -1.5
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smalltext vAlign=bottom width="85%"><TABLE style="TABLE-LAYOUT: fixed" width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=smalltext width="100%" colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
