Evan Altemus
Evan Altemus | NBA Sides Thu, 05/14/09 - 9:35 PM
<DT> triple-dime bet 743 LAL -8.0 (-110) SportBet vs 744 HOU <DD>Analysis: There are two different approaches to take in this game. The first theory is that Houston will play much more motivated and focused in this game because they are back at home and were embarrassed in their last game. The second theory is that Houston simply cannot overcome their injuries and that the Lakers will continue their success in Game 6. I am going with the second approach, and I will explain why. One of the biggest reasons for Houston?s success in Game 4 was Aaron Brooks huge offensive performance, as well as a strong effort from Shane Battier. However, Los Angeles shut down Brooks in Game 5, as they came up with an excellent defensive game plan. I look for them to use the same strategy in Game 6. The biggest key from Game 5 was Phil Jackson?s strategy to use both of his big men on the court at the same time. Houston simply cannot defend a line-up with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum on the floor at the same time, as Yao Ming?s absence is dearly missed, especially without back-up center Dikembe Mutombo. Those big men opened up the rest of the offense for the Lakers outside shooters, specifically Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles has also proven that they can win in dominating fashion in Houston. The¬ Lakers brought a motivated effort in Game 3, resulting in a 14 point road win. I look for Los Angeles to play tough defense once again, which will result in several Houston turnovers and fast break opportunities. All of the quotes coming from the Lakers players show that they have learned their lesson from two losses in this series, and I don?t expect them to let it happen again. Look for them to blowout Houston and clinch the series.
4 UNIT SELECTION
</DD>
Evan Altemus | NBA Sides Thu, 05/14/09 - 9:35 PM
<DT> triple-dime bet 743 LAL -8.0 (-110) SportBet vs 744 HOU <DD>Analysis: There are two different approaches to take in this game. The first theory is that Houston will play much more motivated and focused in this game because they are back at home and were embarrassed in their last game. The second theory is that Houston simply cannot overcome their injuries and that the Lakers will continue their success in Game 6. I am going with the second approach, and I will explain why. One of the biggest reasons for Houston?s success in Game 4 was Aaron Brooks huge offensive performance, as well as a strong effort from Shane Battier. However, Los Angeles shut down Brooks in Game 5, as they came up with an excellent defensive game plan. I look for them to use the same strategy in Game 6. The biggest key from Game 5 was Phil Jackson?s strategy to use both of his big men on the court at the same time. Houston simply cannot defend a line-up with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum on the floor at the same time, as Yao Ming?s absence is dearly missed, especially without back-up center Dikembe Mutombo. Those big men opened up the rest of the offense for the Lakers outside shooters, specifically Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles has also proven that they can win in dominating fashion in Houston. The¬ Lakers brought a motivated effort in Game 3, resulting in a 14 point road win. I look for Los Angeles to play tough defense once again, which will result in several Houston turnovers and fast break opportunities. All of the quotes coming from the Lakers players show that they have learned their lesson from two losses in this series, and I don?t expect them to let it happen again. Look for them to blowout Houston and clinch the series.
4 UNIT SELECTION
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GamblersWorld
Today's TIP OF THE DAY:
Sport: MLB
Game: 7:05PM St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates
Current Line: St. Louis -110
Over/Under: 9.5
Reason: If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Thursday when the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet at PNC Park.
The Cardinals will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Mitchell Boggs in this game. Boggs has a 1-0 record and a 3.38 ERA this season.
The Pirates will counter Boggs with Jeff Karstens. Righthander Karstens has a 5.19 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 110-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total is sitting at 9½.
Ross Ohlendorf allowed a stingy two hits over six innings as the Pirates defeated the Cardinals 5-2 on Wednesday, as a -105 pick'em. The night's seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Nyjer Morgan led the Pirates with two RBIs, and Brandon Moss had two hits with two runs scored.
Skip Schumaker belted a solo home run in a losing effort for the Cardinals. Joel Pineiro gave up 11 hits and five runs over six innings of work.
Today's TIP OF THE DAY:
Sport: MLB
Game: 7:05PM St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates
Current Line: St. Louis -110
Over/Under: 9.5
Reason: If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Thursday when the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet at PNC Park.
The Cardinals will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Mitchell Boggs in this game. Boggs has a 1-0 record and a 3.38 ERA this season.
The Pirates will counter Boggs with Jeff Karstens. Righthander Karstens has a 5.19 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 110-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total is sitting at 9½.
Ross Ohlendorf allowed a stingy two hits over six innings as the Pirates defeated the Cardinals 5-2 on Wednesday, as a -105 pick'em. The night's seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Nyjer Morgan led the Pirates with two RBIs, and Brandon Moss had two hits with two runs scored.
Skip Schumaker belted a solo home run in a losing effort for the Cardinals. Joel Pineiro gave up 11 hits and five runs over six innings of work.
WUNDERDOG
Game: Boston at Orlando (7:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: First Half UNDER 94.5 -110
The Boston Celtics have stolen two games in this series, overcoming huge deficits to prevail in the end. They have done what they always do, and that is come out playing defense to set the tone. They have kept the three-point shooting of the Magic down.In the last two games, the Celtics have held Orlando to 11-51 good for just 21.5%. That is a lot of empty possessions, while the Celtics work the shot clock to find a good shot. The stakes rise as the series deepens, and the Magic have to lay it on the line here or they are going home. That usually means coming out playing intense defense. These games have already seen four of the five games play to 94 points, 92, 90, and 82 points in the first half. In fact, 14 of the past 16 times these two teams have met, the first-half has gone UNDER! With so much at stake here, the intensity to start this one should be even more focused on the defensive end. The Magic are 13-3 UNDER this season in the first-half when revenging a loss. Boston is a ridiculous 21-4 UNDER this season when facing a team that outscores their opponents by 3+ ppg. This one should play UNDER as well.
Game: Boston at Orlando (7:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: First Half UNDER 94.5 -110
The Boston Celtics have stolen two games in this series, overcoming huge deficits to prevail in the end. They have done what they always do, and that is come out playing defense to set the tone. They have kept the three-point shooting of the Magic down.In the last two games, the Celtics have held Orlando to 11-51 good for just 21.5%. That is a lot of empty possessions, while the Celtics work the shot clock to find a good shot. The stakes rise as the series deepens, and the Magic have to lay it on the line here or they are going home. That usually means coming out playing intense defense. These games have already seen four of the five games play to 94 points, 92, 90, and 82 points in the first half. In fact, 14 of the past 16 times these two teams have met, the first-half has gone UNDER! With so much at stake here, the intensity to start this one should be even more focused on the defensive end. The Magic are 13-3 UNDER this season in the first-half when revenging a loss. Boston is a ridiculous 21-4 UNDER this season when facing a team that outscores their opponents by 3+ ppg. This one should play UNDER as well.
R FERRINGO
2-Unit Play. Take #919 New York Yankees (-135) at Toronto (7 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1-Unit Play. Take #911 N.Y. Mets (-120) at San Francisco (10 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1-Unit Play. Take #906 Chicago Cubs (-160) over San Diego (2 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
Today's Totals
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 9.0 New York Yankees at Toronto (7 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1.5-Unit Play. Take 'Over' 9.0 San Diego at Chicago Cubs (2 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 9.5 Seattle at Texas (2 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1.5-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 9.5 Boston at L.A. Angels (3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 9.0 N.Y. Mets at San Francisco (10 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 8.5 L.A. Dodgers at Philadelphia (1 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
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2-Unit Play. Take #919 New York Yankees (-135) at Toronto (7 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1-Unit Play. Take #911 N.Y. Mets (-120) at San Francisco (10 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1-Unit Play. Take #906 Chicago Cubs (-160) over San Diego (2 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
Today's Totals
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 9.0 New York Yankees at Toronto (7 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1.5-Unit Play. Take 'Over' 9.0 San Diego at Chicago Cubs (2 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 9.5 Seattle at Texas (2 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1.5-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 9.5 Boston at L.A. Angels (3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 9.0 N.Y. Mets at San Francisco (10 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 8.5 L.A. Dodgers at Philadelphia (1 p.m., Thursday, May 14)
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SCOTT FERRALL'S PAY PICKS:
NHL PLAYOFFS CONF. SEMI'S PICKS FOR THURSDAY PICKS ARE IN ALL CAPS AND RANKED IN ORDER OF CONFIDENCE ( )
Money Line
Anaheim
DETROIT -230 (1)
Carolina
BOSTON -200 (2)
OVER / UNDER
Anaheim / Detroit UNDER 5 ½ (1)
Carolina / Boston UNDER 5 (2)
Puck Line
CAROLINA +1 ½ AT -165 (1)
Boston
Anaheim
DETROIT -1 ½ AT +125 (2)
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NHL PLAYOFFS CONF. SEMI'S PICKS FOR THURSDAY PICKS ARE IN ALL CAPS AND RANKED IN ORDER OF CONFIDENCE ( )
Money Line
Anaheim
DETROIT -230 (1)
Carolina
BOSTON -200 (2)
OVER / UNDER
Anaheim / Detroit UNDER 5 ½ (1)
Carolina / Boston UNDER 5 (2)
Puck Line
CAROLINA +1 ½ AT -165 (1)
Boston
Anaheim
DETROIT -1 ½ AT +125 (2)
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SCOTT FERRALL'S PAY PICKS:
NBA PLAYOFFS CONF. SEMI'S PICKS FOR THURSDAY PICKS ARE IN ALL CAPS AND RANKED IN ORDER OF CONFIDENCE ( )
Against the Spread
Boston
ORLANDO -6 ½ (1)
Los Angeles
HOUSTON +9 (2)
OVER / UNDER
Boston / Orlando OVER 190 (1)
Los Angeles / Houston UNDER 197 ½ (2)
Money Line
Boston
ORANDO -300 (1)
Los Angeles
HOUSTON +425 (2)
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NBA PLAYOFFS CONF. SEMI'S PICKS FOR THURSDAY PICKS ARE IN ALL CAPS AND RANKED IN ORDER OF CONFIDENCE ( )
Against the Spread
Boston
ORLANDO -6 ½ (1)
Los Angeles
HOUSTON +9 (2)
OVER / UNDER
Boston / Orlando OVER 190 (1)
Los Angeles / Houston UNDER 197 ½ (2)
Money Line
Boston
ORANDO -300 (1)
Los Angeles
HOUSTON +425 (2)
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SCOTT FERRALL'S PAY PICKS:
MLB PAY PICKS FOR THURSDAY PICKS ARE IN ALL CAPS AND RANKED IN ORDER OF CONFIDENCE ( )
Baltimore (Guthrie)
KANSAS CITY (MECHE) -130 (1)
YANKEES (SABATHIA) -135 (2)
Toronto (Tallet)
DETROIT (VERLANDER) -104 (3)
Minnesota (Baker)
San Diego (Gaudin)
CUBS (DEMPSTER) -160 (4)
SEATTLE (HERNANDEZ) -110 (5)
Texas (Harrison)
Dodgers (Billingsley)
PHILADELPHIA (HAMELS) -135 (6)
Boston (Penny)
ANGELS (SANTANA) -130 (7)
Cleveland (Carmona)
TAMPA BAY (SHIELDS) -160 (8)
St. Louis (Boggs)
PITTSBURGH (KARSTENS) +105 (9)
METS (MAINE) -129 (10)
San Francisco (Sanchez)
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MLB PAY PICKS FOR THURSDAY PICKS ARE IN ALL CAPS AND RANKED IN ORDER OF CONFIDENCE ( )
Baltimore (Guthrie)
KANSAS CITY (MECHE) -130 (1)
YANKEES (SABATHIA) -135 (2)
Toronto (Tallet)
DETROIT (VERLANDER) -104 (3)
Minnesota (Baker)
San Diego (Gaudin)
CUBS (DEMPSTER) -160 (4)
SEATTLE (HERNANDEZ) -110 (5)
Texas (Harrison)
Dodgers (Billingsley)
PHILADELPHIA (HAMELS) -135 (6)
Boston (Penny)
ANGELS (SANTANA) -130 (7)
Cleveland (Carmona)
TAMPA BAY (SHIELDS) -160 (8)
St. Louis (Boggs)
PITTSBURGH (KARSTENS) +105 (9)
METS (MAINE) -129 (10)
San Francisco (Sanchez)
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