Service Plays Thursday 4/21/11

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

The Rx.com Mod Team has created this Service Play sub-forum in order to supply an area for Rx Service Play Posters to expand upon their posting topics without creating a logjam in the main forum where the three principle threads are maintained..

Posters can track services here if they care to but we will need any trackers to do so in an accurate and civil manner. We did not create this area for posters to ridicule or bash any services..

You can also discuss who is hot and who is not. The general state of the pay for plays industry and any other subject or topic related to service plays.

You can also create individual threads about specific services and discuss them freely but civilly. Again bashing and abusive treatment of any services will not be tolerated.

Please remember, this forum is not here for regular posters who cap their own games to post ther daily plays. Please use our individual sport forums to post your plays. Professional cappers (those that sell plays) must remain in the Site Promotion Forum.

The Rx.com will not tolerate posters that post false records of any services they track. Please be truthful if you decide to track a particular service.

Lastly The Rx Moderators are appealing to you our everyday posters to report any promotional threads or posts that are made by services or individual touts. No links or contact information to an individual service will be allowed. Just the name of the service. Please report any threads or posts that are promotional attempts by services and touts to use this forum to promote themselves..

Posters can easily report a promotional post by using the triangular Report-a-Post Icon at the bottom left of all post boxes. The poster name of any poster who reports a post that is out of line will be kept strictly confidential.

I will leave this thread open for a month to take questions and do my best to answer them. I will check in daily but am off on Wednesday and Thursday.

I hope this additional Service Play Forum will satisfy those posters that would like to widen the scope of topics relating to service plays and the industry in general to have their own threads. Mods will be liberal as possible regarding topics but this forum was specifically created to allow you more freedom to express your ideas regarding service plays and related subject matter. No off topic threads will be allowed.

Thank you, wilheim




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Some handicappers do not mind having their plays posted, If we are asked by any company to not let their information be posted here, we will comply with the request and remove the information if we see it.
For The Record.
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To all services and professional handicappers. I am only going to be editing posts where your copyrighted write-ups are involved. Please do not email me if someone simply posts so and so likes xyz team plus or minus so many points only.
Thank you, wilheim.......

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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB News and Notes Thursday 4/21
LA Dodgers, Braves finish MLB betting series
By: Barry Daniels

The Los Angeles Dodgers conclude their eight-game homestand Thursday with a matinee contest against an Atlanta Braves squad that is in the midst of a 10-game West Coast excursion. The first pitch from Dodger Stadium will be thrown at 12:10 p.m. (PT).

The final game of this four-game series will pit Braves right-hander Jair Jurrjens (1-0, 0.00 ERA) against Dodgers southpaw Clayton Kershaw (2-2, 2.96 ERA).

Sports Club owner Pete Korner, who distributes the betting line to the majority of Nevada sports books monitored by Don Best Sports' Real-Time Odds, has made the Dodgers a 145 home favorite in his overnight line. The total is set at seven ‘under’ (minus 110).

The Dodgers and Braves split the first two contests of this four-game series, with the ‘over/under’ also split.

Monday’s opener saw the Dodgers nip the Braves as 115 home favorites, 4-2. The combined six runs ducked ‘under’ the seven-run closing total.

Ted Lilly led the Dodgers by hurling seven shutout innings to pick up his first win of the season. The veteran southpaw allowed four hits, two walks and struck out six, and didn't allow a runner past second base.

The Dodgers jumped on Atlanta starter Tim Hudson early when they pushed across three runs in the first on singles by Matt Kemp and James Loney. Loney finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and snapped a 0-for-11 streak that had spanned three games.

Atlanta scored twice in the ninth, but reliever Jonathan Broxton eventually shut the door after tossing 25 pitches.

Atlanta evened the series with Tuesday’s 10-1 trouncing of the Dodgers as 115 road favorites. The combined 11 runs catapulted ‘over’ the seven-run closing total.

The game wasn’t as one-sided as the final score might indicate, as the Braves entered the ninth inning with a 2-1 lead. Atlanta batted around in the ninth and got a two-run homer by Eric Hinske and a three-run shot from Dan Uggla to snap a two-game losing streak.

The win lifted the Braves' road ledger to 4-5, with the Dodgers falling to 5-5 at home. The ‘under’ was 11-6-1 in Atlanta’s first 18 overall outings, while the ‘over’ was 10-6-2 in the Dodgers’ first 18 efforts.

Wednesday's contest pitting veteran right-handers Derek Lowe and Jon Garland was still pending. Atlanta was 130 road chalk with seven for the total.

Jurrjens will be making just his second start of the season for the Braves in Thursday’s finale. His season got started late when he was placed on the disabled list because of an oblique strain.

The 25-year-old right-hander had a very successful season debut last Saturday by defeating the Mets as a 170 home favorite, 4-0. Jurrjens blanked the Mets on two hits through seven innings spanning 100 pitches. He fanned four and walked just one.

Jurrjens captured his lone start against the Dodgers last season by allowing just one run on six hits through seven innings en route to an easy 13-1 victory. Jurrjens closed as a 135 home favorite, while the combined 14 runs soared ‘over’ the seven-run closing total.

The Dodgers will counter with Kershaw, who is coming off his poorest performance of the young season. Kershaw lasted just 4 2/3 innings last Saturday against St. Louis, allowing five runs on six hits en route to suffering a 9-2 setback as a 150 home favorite. He walked five, fanned five and tossed 111 pitches before being removed in the fifth inning.

Kershaw was not involved in the decision during his lone start against the Braves last season. He yielded four runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings as the Dodgers went on to register a 5-4 victory as 165 home favorites. Kershaw fanned eight and walked five and needed 110 pitches to finish his work.

Wally Bell is scheduled to call his fourth game behind home plate this season. The veteran arbiter has seen the ‘under’ go 2-1 in his first three assignments, with an average of 8.0 runs per game. The ‘under’ was 17-16-2 in his 35 efforts last season.

The weather forecast for Thursday’s afternoon tilt calls for partly cloudy skies and a 10 percent chance of showers. The high will be 65 degrees, with the wind from the southwest at 10 miles per hour.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB News and Notes Thursday 4/21
Philadelphia Phillies at San Diego Padres
By: Stephen Nover

Worried about Mat Latos? Don’t be.

True, the 23-year-old righty is 0-2 with a 5.84 ERA in two starts this season. But Latos hasn’t suddenly forgot how to pitch after emerging as one of the best young pitchers last season when he went 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA.

Latos is slated to get the start when San Diego returns home after being on the road since April 14 to host Philadelphia Thursday at 7:05 p.m. PT. It’s the first of a four-game series.

Roy Oswalt, a Hall of Fame candidate when he retires, is expected to oppose Latos for Philadelphia. Oswalt is 152-83 lifetime with a 3.17 ERA.

The thing to keep in mind about Latos is the possibility that he’s still regaining arm strength after opening the season on the 15-day disabled list due to a muscle strain in his right shoulder.

Latos has only thrown 12 1/3 innings this season. He’s had some bad luck with five of six inherited base runners scoring after a reliever replaced him.

The Houston Astros roughed up Latos this past Saturday getting to him for five runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Latos lost, 5-3, as a 145 road favorite against Nelson Figueroa. The combined eight runs went ‘over’ the 7½-run total.

After finishing a surprising 90-72 last year, two games in back of the world champion San Francisco Giants in the National League West Division, the Padres have lost nine of their first 16 games in 2011. They are 3-5 at Petco Park.

Philadelphia has won four of its first six road contests. This is the Phillies’ first games versus an NL West foe. The Phillies dominated NL West competition last season going 22-10. They also were 45-36 on the road last year.

The Padres dropped five of seven to the Phillies last year, including getting swept in a three-game home series.

Latos and Oswalt hooked up in one of those games at Petco Park last season. Oswalt went eight strong innings holding San Diego to one run on five hits with six strikeouts and no walks.

Oswalt didn’t get the decision in a 3-2, 10-inning victory. Latos, who was a 125 favorite, nearly matched Oswalt holding the Phillies to one run in seven innings on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks. The combined five runs dipped ‘under’ the 6 ½-run total.

Oswalt is 10-2 lifetime against the Padres with a 2.45 ERA in 113 2/3 innings. The 33-year-old right-hander is off to fast start with a 2-0 mark, 2.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Oswalt did have to leave his last start, this past Friday against Florida, after suffering back spasms. He didn’t get a decision in that outing, a 4-3 loss as 170 home favorite against Javier Vazquez.

The Marlins managed two runs off Oswalt in six innings on four hits. Oswalt, who departed after throwing 89 pitches, struck out six and walked one. The combined seven runs fell ‘under’ the eight-run total.

While Oswalt should be OK to start, the Phillies lost another relief pitcher. Left-handed setup man J.C. Romero was put on the DL with a strained right calf. The Phillies already are without injured closer Brad Lidge.

The Padres have been getting outstanding relief pitching from closer Heath Bell and Mike Adams. Bell has four saves and a 1.29 ERA through 16 games, while Adams had retired 26 straight batters through this past Tuesday.

Following this series, the Padres host Atlanta Monday through Wednesday. The Phillies travel to Arizona after this series to play three games against the Diamondbacks also Monday through Wednesday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB News and Notes Thursday 4/21
Thursday Late Tips
By Kevin Rogers

The Thursday night baseball card involves several teams sending out their aces in long favorite roles. The Red Sox continue their nine-game road trip as they travel to Southern California to begin a four-game set with the red-hot Angels, while the A's and Mariners hook up in an AL West battle in Seattle. We'll begin at Petco Park as the Phillies head out west to start a seven-game swing against the upstart Padres.

Phillies at Padres

The top pitching matchup on Thursday's card comes from San Diego as Roy Oswalt and Mat Latos take the mound in what looks to be a low-scoring affair. The Phillies avoided a sweep with Wednesday's comeback victory over the Brewers, while the Padres return home after playing a doubleheader on the North Side against the Cubs. San Diego looks to improve on a 3-5 record at Petco Park, as their ace attempts to get in the win column.

Latos (0-2, 5.84 ERA) last won a start on September 7, 2010 against the Dodgers, as the tall Padres' right-hander has dropped seven straight decisions. Since coming off the DL on April 11, Latos has been unable to cash in a victory with losses to the Reds and Astros. Latos allowed four hits in each outing, while pitching at least six innings, but the offense has supplied him with an average of 2.5 runs/start. In two career outings against the Phillies, Latos is winless, while losing a 3-2 decision as $1.20 favorites to his counterpart on Thursday.

Oswalt (2-0, 2.50 ERA) shut down the Padres' offense in that victory last August at Petco Park, tossing eight innings and giving up just one run. The former Astros' righty has delivered three quality starts this season, while coming off a no-decision in a 4-3 home loss to the Marlins his last time out. Since getting acquired from Houston last July, the Phillies are 5-2 in Oswalt's seven road starts, but both losses came as a favorite.

The Phillies won five of seven meetings against the Padres last season, including a three-game sweep in Southern California. Runs will be at a premium at spacious Petco Park as all three meetings in San Diego last season resulted in 'unders.'

Red Sox at Angels

Boston's swing through the Golden State continues in Orange County as the Red Sox and Angels start a four-game set. Los Angeles was expected to improve after a disappointing 2010 campaign, as the Halos have played well out of the gate with an 11-6 record. The Angels begin a seven-game homestand against their old playoff nemesis who L.A. finally eliminated in the ALDS of the 2009 postseason.

The Halos and Red Sox have a playoff history that has been pretty much one-sided with Boston knocking out Los Angeles four times in franchise history, including three times since 2004. L.A. hopes to get some revenge on Boston after the Sox beat the Halos nine of 10 times last season. The task isn't easy in the series opener against Josh Beckett (2-1, 1.80 ERA), who is coming off a pair of terrific home outings against the Blue Jays and Yankees. Beckett allowed just one earned run combined, while striking out 19 in the two victories over Boston's division rivals. However, the Sox are 1-7 in Beckett's last eight starts against the Angels since 2008.

Tyler Chatwood (1-1, 3.75 ERA) is making his third career start for the Angels, as the righty shut down the White Sox, 7-2, while cashing as a $1.60 road underdog. Chatwood scattered five hits and one earned run in seven innings, bouncing back from a subpar performance in his debut against Cleveland as he allowed four runs in a 4-0 defeat.

The Sox plated at least five runs in seven of the nine meetings last season, while going 6-1 as a favorite in the series. The Angels are 4-2 at home this season, but both losses have come in the series opener.

Athletics at Mariners

These two AL West rivals meet at Safeco Field after Seattle grabbed two of three games in the opening weekend of the season. The Mariners have struggled since that series by going 4-12, while losing four of five series. Seattle will try to bounce back as it sends out the reigning Cy Young Award winner to stop the bleeding against a feisty Oakland lineup.

Felix Hernandez (1-2, 4.33 ERA) was knocked around in each of his last two starts, allowing 18 hits and 12 runs (nine earned) as the Mariners split against the Blue Jays and Royals. Seattle used a massive rally to stun Toronto, 8-7 and get Hernandez off the hook as the Jays blew a 7-0 lead. King Felix couldn't bounce back as a $1.40 road favorite at Kansas City by giving up five runs in five innings of a 7-0 setback. Hernandez has been successful against the A's in his career, as the M's are 5-1 in his last six starts in the series. The season started on a solid note thanks to Hernandez tossing a complete-game gem to beat Oakland, 6-2 as short road underdogs.

The A's counter with Brandon McCarthy (1-0, 2.45 ERA), who is coming off consecutive quality starts against the Twins and Tigers. McCarthy grabbed a road 'dog victory at Minnesota on April 10, turning in one of the best starts of his career by going 7.1 innings and allowing two earned runs in a 5-3 win. The righty has compiled just one quality start in five career outings against Seattle, while putting together a no-decision in his last trip to Safeco Field in 2009.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Thursday's Best MLB Bets

Philadelphia Phillies at San Diego Padres (+100, 6.5)

It took a while, but the Philadelphia Phillies’ offense finally showed a bit of life in Wednesday’s 4-3 win over the Milwaukee.

After being held scoreless for 17 straight innings, Placido Polanco tied Wednesday’s game with a three-run shot in the sixth inning and Shane Victorino put the Phillies ahead for good with another dinger in the eighth.

Those two clutch home runs came just a day after Charlie Manuel was publicly begging for more jacks from his team.

"Our pitching is definitely going to keep us in a position where we have a chance to win at the end," Manuel told reporters. "But I think on offense we have to improve. The bottom line is we have to see where we can get those home runs from. Ryan Howard will definitely hit some. From there . . ."

That’s the big question – do these Phillies have enough pop to support their fantastic pitching staff.

We think Wednesday’s outburst could get the bats going.

Pick: Over

Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners (-145, 6.5)

The Seattle Mariners don’t have a big bat in the lineup that strikes fear in the opposition so they’re to manufacture runs with patience at the plate.

On Tuesday, that strategy looked like a brilliant idea when the Mariners made the most out of 11 walks in a 13-3 blowout of the Detroit Tigers.

“We want aggressive at-bats, and when you’re aggressive you see the ball better,” Seattle manager Eric Wedge told reporters. “Walks become a by-product of that.”

However, after the offensive outburst on Tuesday, it looked like the same old story for Seattle on Wednesday as the club was held to six hits in a 3-2 loss to Tigers.

The good news for Seattle is Felix Hernandez takes the hill on Thursday. He took the loss at Kansas City the last time he toed the rubber but only gave up two earned runs on six hits, so he’ll be gunning for a victory here.

Pick: Mariners

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA News and Notes Thursday 4/21
NBA Betting: Indiana Pacers host Chicago Bulls in Game 3
By: Michael Robinson

The Chicago Bulls may be up 2-0 against the Indiana Pacers, but it’s been a lot harder than anyone expected. The teams move the series to Conseco Fieldhouse for Game 3 on Thursday night with Indiana facing a big injury to point guard Darren Collison.

The Don Best odds screen has Chicago as 4½-point road ‘chalk’ with a total of 189 points. NBA-TV will broadcast the opening jump at 4 p.m. (PT).

The Bulls (64-20 straight-up, 49-33-2 against the spread) looked shaky in Game 1, trailing 98-88 with under four minutes left in the fourth quarter before ending on a 16-1 spurt (104-99 win). Point guard Derrick Rose had seven points in that final run and 39 for the game, showing why he’ll likely be named league MVP.

Game 2 last Monday was another nail biter. Indiana led 78-76 with just over five minutes left, but Rose scored 11 of his 36 points from there in the 96-90 victory. Power forward Carlos Boozer was the other big gun with 17 points and 16 rebounds after getting into foul trouble in the opener.

The Bulls didn’t come close to ‘covering’ the spread as 11½-point favorites each time. They were an impressive 24-15-2 ATS at home during the regular season and 25-16 ATS on the road (9-3 ATS in the last 12 away).

Game 1 went ‘over’ the 188-point total, while Game 2 went ‘under’ the 193-points. Chicago was the second-stringiest team on defense during the regular season (91.3 PPG).

Chicago’s critics point out its never won a playoff series with Rose and the Bulls also have a rookie head coach in Tom Thibodeau. It was great earning home court advantage throughout the NBA Finals, but the playoffs are an entirely different animal.

The Pacers (37-47 SU, 40-42-2 ATS) are playing a lot better than their record indicates. Their improvement began in late January when assistant Frank Vogel took over for Jim O’Brien, amassing a 20-18 SU (18-20 ATS) record heading into the postseason.

Vogel has shown confidence in his young players and it’s paid off. Tyler Hansbrough has blossomed since he took over and had 22 points in Game 1. He did struggle last game (2-of-12, six points), but he’s turning into a good second scorer behind Danny Granger (20.5 PPG).

Vogel’s coaching skills will be tested if Collison (listed as questionable) misses Thursday. He sprained his ankle in the second quarter last game after stepping on a cameraman. Second-year guard A.J. Price will start if he can’t go, with veteran T.J. Ford also getting minutes.

Price scored 13 points last game and some feel his drop-off is not that great from Collison, but it’s never good to lose a starting point guard mid-series. Price starting would also hurt bench scoring, a 43-22 Pacers advantage last game.

Indiana has to do something about the rebounding differential. It was 49-34 in the opener and 57-33 last game, with the offensive glass a big factor each time. Center Roy Hibbert needs to get his 7-foot-2, 280 pound frame in better position.

Indiana is 24-17 SU and 21-19-1 ATS at home this year. Chicago won the first meeting in mid-January in Indiana (99-86) and the Pacers took the second (115-108 OT) in March with Vogel at the helm.

Indiana is 2-5 ATS in its last seven games as a home underdog of 4.5 points or less. The ‘over’ is 6-0 in its last six games as a home ‘dog.

The series will continue Saturday afternoon in Hoosier country. It will either be a tight 2-1 margin or the Pacers trying to avoid a sweep.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA News and Notes Thursday 4/21
NBA Playoff Odds: Dallas Mavericks at Portland
By: Willie Bee

Dirk Nowitzki may have led Dallas in scoring each of the first two games in their playoff series with Portland, but it's a sudden burst by Jason Kidd on the offensive end of the court that has keyed the Mavericks' 2-0 lead.

The Trail Blazers will try and regroup in Game 3 as the series moves northwest to Portland's Rose Garden. TNT has Thursday's broadcast starting at 7:30 p.m. (PT).

The Las Vegas Hilton opened Portland as a six-point favorite with 186 for the total.

Dallas was laying five points in Game 1, an 89-81 Mavs victory that never got close to the 186½-point total. Nowitzki's 28 points included a perfect 13-for-13 from the foul line where Dallas held a huge 25-9 scoring advantage.

Kidd scored a season-high 24 points in the contest, only the third time in 91 games dating back to the end of the 2009-10 regular season that he reached the 20-point plateau. The bulk of his scoring came from long range with the veteran of 17 seasons making good on six of his 10 three-point attempts.

The former All-American from Cal averaged less than eight points per game during the regular season when he rarely attempted more than five shots behind the arc.

Oddsmakers cut both the spread and total for Tuesday's second game, making the Mavs 3½-point chalk and setting the total at 183½. Kidd responded with 18 points this time with Nowitzki pouring in 33 to lead Dallas to the 101-89 triumph. Nowitzki again had a big fourth quarter when the Mavericks broke open a one-point game by outscoring the Blazers 28-17.

Dallas' final 11 points came on three Nowitzki field goals and five free throws where he was 15-of-17 for the game.

Both playoff battles have followed script from the four regular season meetings. The home team, which has been favored in all six matchups, is 6-0 straight up and 5-1 against the spread. The lone ATS exception came the first time the Mavs and Blazers met this season, a 103-98 Dallas win in December as seven-point chalk.

Portland has dominated scoring in the paint, topping Dallas all six contests. The Trail Blazers have averaged nearly 46 points per game inside on the Mavericks, almost half of Portland's scoring. Over 63 percent of Dallas' points in the series have come from outside or from the line.

Keeping the Mavericks and especially Nowitzki off the line in Game 3 is crucial for the Blazers who could get an assist in that area by having home-court advantage. Nowitzki ranked seventh in the NBA during the regular season hitting over 89 percent of his charity tosses, the Dunking Deutschman just outside the top 10 averaging 5.4 PPG via free throws.

Stopping Kidd and playing better perimeter defense will be another factor if Portland is to avoid going down 3-0 in the series. If Kidd does come back down to earth, it will put extra pressure on Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic to step up in his place if Dallas is to win in Portland for the first time in more than two years.

Stojakovic canned 5-of-10 from three-point range in Game 2 on his way to a 21-point evening, only the second time he has eclipsed the 20-point line since joining the Mavs in January.

Portland's Wesley Matthews is probable for Thursday's contest according to the Don Best Sports injury report. The second-year guard scored 13 in Tuesday's loss, playing 36 minutes despite knocking heads pretty hard with Terry in the first quarter.

Friday's off day is followed by Saturday afternoon's fourth game of the series. TNT will have the broadcast starting at 2:00 p.m. (PT).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA News and Notes Thursday 4/21
Thursday's Playoff Tips
By Brian Edwards

Gamblers have six wagering options Thursday night thanks to a tripleheader in the NBA Playoffs. The action will start at Conseco Fieldhouse, where the Pacers will try to avoid going down 0-3 to top-seeded Chicago.

Next, we’ll go to the City of Brotherly Love, where the 76ers will try to avoid a similar fate against the Heat, who took a 2-0 series advantage in Miami. Finally, Portland will return home to the Rose Garden to take on Dallas, which also owns a 2-0 series lead.

Bulls at Pacers

As of late Wednesday afternoon, most betting shops had Chicago (64-20 straight up, 49-33-2 against the spread) installed as a 4½-point favorite with a total of 189. Gamblers can take the Pacers to win outright for a plus-170 payout (risk $100 to win $170).

Chicago had to play from behind for nearly all of Game 1, yet Derrick Rose led a furious late fourth-quarter rally that netted the Bulls a 104-99 win. However, the Pacers comfortably hooked up their backers as 11½-point underdogs. Rose scored a game-high 39 points, leading his team on a 16-1 run to close the game. He also had six assists, six rebounds and three blocked shots. Kyle Korver added 13 points off the bench, burying all four of his attempts from 3-point range.

Tyler Hansbrough scored seven straight points to put the Pacers in front 98-88 with 3:38 left in Game 1. He would finish with 22 points, but it wasn’t enough. Danny Granger had a team-high 24 points in the series’s lid-lifter, while Darren Collison finished with 17 points, nine assists and six rebounds.

In Game 2, the Bulls closed as 11½-point favorites again. And once again, the Pacers took the cash but came up short in their bid for an outright upset. Chicago captured a 96-90 triumph thanks to Rose, who produced 36 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Carlos Boozer added 17 points and 16 boards for the winners. In the losing effort, Indiana didn’t get as much from Hansbrough, who was 2-of-12 from the field and had just six points. Collison was bothered by a sprained ankle sustained late in Game 1, limiting him to just 14 minutes of playing time. Collison’s status for Thursday is ‘questionable.’

Indiana (37-47 SU, 40-42-2 ATS) had the same regular-season record that Atlanta had when it gave eventual-champion Boston fits in the first round of the 2008 postseason. But unlike the Hawks, the Pacers were extremely competitive in Games 1 and 2. They blew a golden opportunity in Game 1 and certainly had their chances in Game 2 as well. But now Indiana must do what the Hawks did, answer with a pair of home wins to make this a series that’s going to go deep.

Indiana owns a 6-8 spread record in 14 games as a home underdog, but we should point out that it has won outright in its last three such situations, including a 115-108 win over Chicago on March 18.

Indiana is 24-17 SU and 21-19-1 ATS at home. Meanwhile, the Bulls are 26-15 SU and 25-16 versus the number on the road.

The ‘under’ is 46-38 overall for the Pacers, 23-18 in their home games. The ‘under’ is 48-36 overall for Chicago, 22-19 in its road assignments.

VegasInsider.com’s Chris David likes the Bulls to win outright and isn’t against a money-line wager. David said, “I often hear handicappers say that they don’t like to lay heavy money on a team, but that seems like the best option for Game 3 with Chicago. Most books have the Bulls as -210 favorites (Bet $210 to win $100) on the money-line and while that might be rich for some, it’s the smart play when you look at the Bulls in the second-half of the season. Since the All-Star break, Chicago has gone 26-4 straight up which includes the two victories over the Pacers in this series. Rather than lay the 4½ points on the road, or what will probably be higher by tipoff, the money-line wager can also set you up with nice hedge opportunities at halftime if the Bulls jump out early. That’s certainly a big “If” considering Chicago has trailed by three and four points, respectively, in the first two battles.

Tip-off from Conseco Fieldhouse is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Eastern on NBA-TV.

Heat at 76ers

As of late Wednesday, most books had Miami (60-24 SU, 41-42-1 ATS) listed as a 4 ½-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 187. The 76ers are plus-170 on the money line (risk $100 to win $170).

Eric Spoelstra’s squad failed to cover the spread in a 97-89 win as a 10½-point home favorite in Saturday’s Game 1. The Heat trailed 31-19 at the end of the first quarter, but it surged back into the lead midway through the second quarter. Chris Bosh finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while LeBron James chipped in with 21 points and 14 boards.

In Game 2, Miami raced out to an early lead and cruised to a 94-73 win as a nine-point home ‘chalk.’ James led the way with 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Bosh produced another double-double with 21 points and 11 boards.

Philadelphia (41-43 SU, 47-36-1 ATS) has lost seven of its last eight games both SU and ATS dating back to the regular season. Also, the ‘under’ has cashed in eight consecutive outings.

Doug Collins’ team has thrived as a home underdog, posting a 9-4 spread record with seven outright victories. For the season, the 76ers are 26-15 SU and 23-18 ATS at home.

Miami has won nine in a row over Philadelphia, including all five meetings this year. Only one of this season’s encounters was played at the Wells Fargo Center. That was way back on Oct. 27 and the Heat cruised to a 97-87 win that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated. LeBron and Co. led by 26 at the end of the third quarter of this blowout. Dwyane Wade scored a game-high 30 points.

Miami has won 28 of its 41 road games, going 24-16-1 ATS.

The ‘under’ is 44-40 overall for the 76ers, 22-19 in their home outings.

The ‘under’ is 42-41-1 overall for the Heat, 21-20 in its road assignments.

David had these thoughts on the Philly-Miami total: “I usually stay away from ‘over/under’ wagers after seeing a line drop based off the outcome of the previous game, which is the case here. Miami and Philadelphia combined for 167 in Game 2, which never threatened the total (190) and now the number came out at 187 for Game 3. Ironically, Game 1 had a total of 190 as well and that game could’ve gone ‘over’ but the Heat didn’t help the cause with a 17-point effort over the last 12 minutes. So is the line adjustment too much or just right? I feel the move is right and it should probably be lower. The 76ers have busted 100 points just once in their last eight games, which has helped the ‘under’ go 8-0. Plus, Miami has slowed it down in the playoffs (72 and 74 shots) so far and we expect more of the same in Game 3.”

TNT will have the telecast Thursday night at 8:05 p.m. Eastern.

Mavericks at Trail Blazers

Most books are listing Portland (48-36 SU, 43-38-3 ATS) as a 5 1/2-point favorite with a total of 186. Bettors can back the Mavs to win outright for a plus-220 payout (risk $100 to win $220).

Dallas (59-25 SU, 46-35-2 ATS) won Tuesday’s Game 2 by a 101-89 count as a four-point home favorite. Dirk Nowitzki led the way with a game-high 33 points, but Peja Stojakovic provided the biggest lift with 21 points thanks to five 3-pointers. Jason Kidd another solid game, going for 18 points, eight assists and zero turnovers. LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 10 rebounds in defeat. The Blazers also got 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists from Gerald Wallace.

Nowitzki and Kidd were the catalysts in Game 1, an 89-81 Mavs’ win as five-point favorites. Nowitzki scored 28 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Kidd scored 24 points by burying 6-of-10 from 3-point range. He also had five rebounds, four assists and only one turnover. Aldridge’s team-high 27 points kept the Trail Blazers within striking distance for most of the game.

Portland has covered the number at a 9-2 ATS clip in its last 11 home games. The Blazers won both regular-season meetings against Dallas at the Rose Garden, winning by scores of 104-96 and 104-101.

Rick Carlisle’s team has been a dynamite road underdog, compiling a 14-6 spread record with 12 outright victories. The Mavs took the cash in each of their first 11 games as underdogs this season, collecting outright wins in 10 of those 11 spots.

The ‘under’ has gone 44-39-1 overall for Portland, 22-18-1 in its home games.

The ‘over’ is 47-36-1 overall for Dallas, 24-17 in its road games.

Tip-off is slated for 10:35 p.m. Eastern on TNT.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

What Bettors Need to Know: Thursday's NBA Playoff Action

Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers (+4.5, 189)

Chicago leads series 2-0

THE STORY: It’s been the Derrick Rose show so far, and the Indiana Pacers can't seem to do anything to stop it. The MVP candidate has led the Chicago Bulls down the stretch in each of the first two games of the Eastern Conference playoffs and has shown an ability to get to the basket reminiscent of another Chicago star from years past. Still, the Pacers have come awfully close to winning and have to be confident heading back home. The Bulls will be looking to squash that confidence and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven set when they visit Indiana for Game 3 on Thursday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV

ABOUT THE BULLS: Rose has been sensational so far. After leading a 16-1 charge to end Game 1, the All-Star point guard took over again in Game 2 with Chicago trailing, putting the Bulls up for good with a circus hook shot from the right side of the lane that turned into a three-point play, and then clinching it from the free throw line. He finished with 36 points, eight rebounds and six assists while Carlos Boozer added 17 points and 16 boards. Kyle Korver has been a key to each of the wins as well, hitting a 3-pointer in the final minutes of both.

ABOUT THE PACERS: Indiana was up by as many as nine points in the second quarter before point guard Darren Collison collapsed in a heap underneath the basket just before the half. He did not play the rest of the game due to a sprained ankle and is listed as day-to-day. Even with Collison out, Indiana still had plenty of chances in the fourth quarter, sitting on top as late as 5:43 remaining after Brandon Rush converted a layup and pulling within 90-88 with 23 seconds to play before falling, 96-90.

WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Rose is averaging 37.5 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Tyler Hansbrough kept Indiana in Game 1 with 22 points but slumped to six on 2-of-12 shooting in Game 2.

KEY STATISTIC: Rebounding. The Bulls controlled the glass, 57-33, in Game 2. Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts tied for Indiana’s team high with six boards apiece.

TRENDS:

* Bulls are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 road games.
* Bulls are 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 playoff games as favorites.
* Pacers are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 6-0 in Pacers last 6 games as a home underdog.

LAST WORD: “It’s always good to win in this league,” Rose said after Game 2. “It’s very hard to win. But the way that we’re winning, we’re just trying to sharpen up things, especially on the defensive end, so that we can control the game more instead of us having to play crazy at the end of the game.”

Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers (+4.5, 187)

Miami leads series 2-0

THE STORY: The Miami Heat are now two steps closer to their championship dreams and look as though they have the Philadelphia 76ers completely outclassed. The Heat did what they were supposed to do as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, taking the first two games at home. But after competing hard in a loss in Game 1, the 76ers rolled over in Game 2. Philadelphia will be searching from some energy from its home crowd when it hosts Miami in Game 3 on Thursday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, CSP

ABOUT THE 76ERS: Philadelphia jumped out to an early lead in Game 1 and climbed within a point in the fourth quarter, giving it the confidence that it could win in Game 2. But the 76ers barely even got a chance. They managed only four field goals in the first quarter of Monday’s Game 2 and went into the half down, 49-31, with no idea how to attack the Miami defense. The Philadelphia starting five was outscored in the first half by each member of the Heat’s “Big Three.” The 76ers’ franchise has never won a playoff series (0-16) after dropping the first two games.

ABOUT THE HEAT: Miami has never lost a playoff series after winning the first two games and looked unstoppable on Monday, locking down on the defensive end and spreading it around on offense. LeBron James led the way with 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Chris Bosh chipped in 21 points and 11 boards in the 94-73 triumph. The lead grew to as much as 28 points in the second half before Miami took its foot off the gas. The presumptive favorites before the season started, the Heat finally looked like a team that could win the championship on Monday.

WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Bosh has recorded a double-double in each of the first two games for the Heat. Andre Iguodala has totaled nine points on 4-of-15 shooting through two games for the Sixers.

KEY STATISTIC: Shooting percentage. Not matter how tight the defense is, there is no excuse for the 25.6 percent that the 76ers shot from the field in the first half of Game 2. They recovered to shoot 34.2 percent for the game but dug themselves too big a hole early. The Heat shot 50 percent in the opening half.

TRENDS:

* Under is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings in Philadelphia.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
* Home team is 18-8 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
* Heat are 3-11 ATS in the last 14 meetings in Philadelphia.

LAST WORD: “If they’re playing great, they’re a better team,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said of the Heat. “OK? If they’re playing on the top of their game, they’re a better team. I mean, they won 58, we won 41. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t going to play and compete and fight. But when they come out (Monday) and defend the way they did. … It’s going to be very difficult for us to beat them.”

Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers (-6, 186)

Dallas leads series 2-0

THE STORY: The Dallas Mavericks relied on their oldest players again in a 101-89 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. The Mavericks finally seem to be rounding into the form that saw them start 42-9. Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 33 points while Peja Stojakovic added 21 off the bench. The Mavericks will look to go up 3-0 when the series shifts to the Rose Garden on Thursday night. Portland has not lost three in a row since Jan. 9-14.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, KGW, KTXA

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS: Dallas is playing old-school basketball in the sense that former All-Stars are coming up big at key times. Stojakovic looked like the Peja of old, shooting 8 of 13 from the field to finish one point shy of his season high. Nowitzki was the finisher yet again, scoring Dallas' final 11 points. Nowitzki, who made 89.2 percent of his free throws during the season, is 28 of 30 from the line in two games. Jason Kidd, 38, scored 18 on 7-for-11 shooting.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Much was made of the Trail Blazers’ inequity in free throws in Game 1. Portland had no such worries Tuesday night, attempting 27 to Dallas’ 26. The problem for the Trail Blazers came from their bench. Nicolas Batum scored 10, but the Blazers only had 11 total bench points, compared to 39 for the Mavericks. LaMarcus Aldridge continues to be the steady hand for Portland and had 24 points and 10 rebounds. “Every time we had a chance, we’d turn the ball over or make a big mistake and they ended up closing out the game,” Aldridge said. Andre Miller and Gerald Wallace each scored 18 and the Blazers will need another strong effort from them Thursday.

WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Stojakovic tied his career high in the playoffs with five 3-pointers. He has made five 3s in the playoffs seven times. Brandon Roy, once an All-Star for Portland, played eight minutes and missed his only shot and two free throws Tuesday. He was 1 for 7 for two points in 26 minutes of Game 1.

KEY STATISTIC: Portland is just 2-15 in its last 17 road playoff games.

TRENDS:

* Home team is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Trail Blazers are 0-4 ATS in their last four conference quarterfinals games.
* Mavericks are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six playoff games as underdogs.

LAST WORD: “We had to play two tough-minded games to beat this team twice. It’s a long series. It’s two games. We’ve done our job. We have to regroup, get on a plane and head out to Portland where it’s going to be tougher.” *– Dallas coach Rick Carlisle on winning the first two games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pick 'n' Roll

Thursday’s Best NBA Bets

Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers (4.5, 189)

It won’t be of much consolation since they currently trail the series 2-0, but the Pacers have given the NBA’s No. 1 overall seed all they can handle.

The Bulls trailed 98-88 with less than four minutes remaining in Game 1 last Friday then fell behind by two with less than six minutes left in Game 2 on Monday. And it’s no fluke, either. Chicago has now won 23 of its last 25 games, but one of the two losses in this stretch was a 115-108 setback against none other than Indiana on March 18.

“They have quality depth and not just up front but in their backcourt too,” Bulls’ head coach Tom Thibodeau told the Chicago Tribune of the Pacers. “The big thing is at the beginning of the year, they had injuries. Now they are healthy. They're a good team. Danny Granger is one of the best scorers in the league. Darren Collison is really emerging. They're deep and keep coming at you.”

Collison is the only player on Thursday’s injury report (questionable) after spraining an ankle in Monday’s loss, but he sounds like he is going to suck it up for the playoffs.

“[Even] if I'm at 60-70 percent, I'm going to play,” he told the Indianapolis Star. “This is the playoffs. I was disappointed I couldn't get in (Game 2) in the second half, but it's unfortunate it happened.”

Pick: Pacers

Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers (-5.5, 186)

The Blazers may find themselves trailing 2-0 in the series, but they certainly put up a good fight in two contests at Dallas. Portland led by as many as six in the fourth quarter of Game 1 and was within one point during the fourth quarter of Game 2.

“This series is far from over,” Dirk Nowitzki said during an interview with TNT following Dallas’ victory on Tuesday. “(The Blazers) are very good at home, they make shots, they play tough, so we gotta be prepared for a tough game.”

Speaking of TNT, Charles Barkley had this to say about Portland: “I've always said they have the best home court in the NBA. They still have the best fans, in my opinion, in the NBA.”

The Blazers will be feeling good not only because of their competitiveness in the first two games, but also because they are returning home. They owned one of the most drastic differences in home-road record during the regular season, going 30-11 with home-court advantage while compiling an 18-23 record away from the Rose Garden.

Portland should be able to pull within one game in the series, but covering this spread is a lot to ask.

Pick: Mavericks

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL News and Notes Thursday 4/21
Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens
By: Brad Young

Boston and Montreal continue their first-round series where the home ice has been a disadvantage.

The sixth-seeded Canadiens quickly took a 2-0 series lead on enemy ice, and figured on having a stranglehold against their Northeast Division rivals. However, the Bruins fought back with a Game 3 road triumph and can even this series at two with a victory in this spot.

Boston finished seven points ahead of Montreal in the regular-season standings, and grabbed the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

Don Best's Real-Time Odds show the Bruins as slight 120-road ‘chalk’ over the Canadiens, with the total set at five. Versus will provide coverage of Thursday’s Game 4 beginning at 4:00 p.m. (PT) from Montreal’s Bell Centre.

Boston got back on the winning track with Monday’s victory as a 118-road favorite, 4-2, avoiding a possible playoff sweep. The combined six goals went ‘over’ the five-goal closing total, ending a string of back-to-back ‘under’ outings.

The Bruins jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first period when David Drejci and Nathan Horton lit the lamp. Rich Peverley scored in the second period, while Chris Kelly iced the game by scoring an empty-net goal with 25.6 seconds remaining in the game. Goaltender Tim Thomas stonewalled 34 shots between the pipes.

Montreal chipped away at the 3-0 deficit when Andrei Kosyn scored in the second period, and got to within a goal when Tomas Plekanec scored early in the third. Goalie Carey Price recorded 21 saves in the setback after stopping 65 of 66 shots the first two wins in this series. The Habs finished the contest with an advantage in shots on goal, 36-25, but trailed the Bruins in faceoffs won, 27-22.

The road team has won all three games in this series, but the home team won the previous five meetings in this rivalry. The Canadiens are now 11-4 their past 15 games against Boston, and 21-8 when playing in Montreal.

The Habs stunned the Bruins with a Game 1 victory last Thursday as a 172 road underdog, 2-0. Montreal followed that effort with Saturday’s Game 2 triumph as a 173 road ‘dog, 3-1. Both of those matchups failed to eclipse the five-goal closing total.

Boston defenseman Steven Kampfer (knee injury) is expected to miss the entire first-round series versus the Habs. Montreal left wing Max Pacioretty is also expected to miss the entire first-round series due to a concussion, while center Jeff Halpern (lower body) is ‘doubtful’ for Thursday’s matchup.

Boston was mired in a six-game playoff losing streak before recording Monday’s victory. The Bruins had a 3-0 series lead over Philadelphia last year before dropping the next four games.

Montreal has lost its previous two playoff series when winning the first two games on the road. The Habs fell to Carolina in six games back in the 2006 playoffs, and also lost to the New York Rangers in six games back in 1996.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL News and Notes Thursday 4/21
NHL Betting Preview: LA Kings host San Jose Sharks
By: David Schwab

The San Jose Sharks will look to take a commanding 3-1 lead in Game 4 of their first round, best-of-seven Western Conference playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Kings this Thursday night at Staples Center. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. (PT) and it will be broadcast nationally on TSN.

San Jose started things off with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory in Game 1 as a 198 home favorite, but suffered a 4-0 shutout at the hands of the Kings last Saturday as 187 chalk.

The Sharks were able to regain their home-ice advantage with another overtime victory in Tuesday night’s Game 3. This time they came away with a 6-5 win as a 121 road favorite after rallying from a four-goal deficit.

The 11 combined goals went well ‘over’ the NHL odds.

Patrick Marleau, who led San Jose with 37 goals and 73 points in the regular season, picked the perfect time to end his playoff scoring drought with a goal and an assist in Tuesday’s win. He got the Sharks on the board early in the second period, after they had fallen behind 4-0.

The improbable comeback continued as they outscored the Kings 5-1 from that point on, including the game winner by Devin Setoquchi a little over three minutes into overtime.

This was only the fourth time in NHL playoff history that a team overcame a four-goal deficit to win the game.

San Jose pulled goalie Antti Niemi early in the second period after giving up four goals in the first 10 shots he faced. Antero Nittymaki came in to stop 11 of 12 shots, but it was the Sharks’ defense that put the clamps on the Kings who were basically shutdown from that point on.

Los Angeles is now left to pick up the pieces after blowing a golden opportunity to gain the edge in this series. You can hardly blame the offense after three-goal first period put the Kings squarely in control of Game 3. Brad Richardson did his part with a goal and an assist and Ryan Smyth’s first goal of these playoffs put them up 5-3 midway in the second, but they had no answer for San Jose’s relentless attack.

Jonathan Quick lasted the whole game in net for Los Angeles but was less than stellar with a .833 save percentage. He basically collapsed under the pressure in the second period; giving up five goals on 18 shots. He went on stop all nine shots he faced in the third, but the damage was done.

It appears that Niemi and Quick will both be back in goal for Thursday night’s game, but this has yet to be confirmed. Both teams came out of Game 3 injury free with the exception of a few minor bumps and bruises that will not keep anyone out of the lineup.

San Jose is 36-22 as a favorite this season and 13-12 as an underdog. Los Angeles is 29-22 as a favorite and 17-15 as an underdog this year. Head-to-head, these teams split their six regular season games in the regular season, each winning two of three at home. The total is 5-3-1 'over' in the last nine meetings and 1-1-1 in this series.

The Sharks opened as a slight 125 road favorite and remain a solid pick in this game after all the momentum in this series has now swung back into their favor.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL News and Notes Thursday 4/21
Thursday's Playoff Action
By Judd Hall

The Stanley Cup Playoffs will literally be coast to coast on Thursday night. It all starts off in Montreal as the Habs and Bruins try not to kill each other on the ice. Vancouver will try to snuff out the Blackhawks on home ice, while the Kings try to bounce back from one damn fine choke job at home against San Jose.

Bruins at Canadiens

You know you have a great rivalry when one team’s play-by-play man is giving the other team hell during the game. That’s just the nature of the beast when the Canadiens and Bruins face off with one another in the playoffs.

Boston had plenty of fire in its belly as they took down the Habs on Monday night for a 4-2 in the Bell Centre. The Bruins appeared to get into the head of Carey Price, who gave up two goals off of the nine shots he saw in the opening period of Game 3. And it doesn’t hurt that Tim Thomas played his best in a must-win spot for the B’s by stopping 34 of Montreal’s 36 shots on goal.

It was a bit of a surprise that Canadiens’ winger Benoit Pouliot didn’t get suspended after leaving his feet to check Johnny Boychuk. I’ll grant you that Pouliot offered a piss poor attempt on the check, but NHL should have sent him packing for at least one game. The Habs only used him for just over three minutes in this game, so I wouldn’t see him being more of a factor in this game…well, he could have a target on his back for Zdeno Chara.

The Bruins are once again listed as $1.20 road favorites (risk $120 to win $100) for this matchup with a total of five. Boston has gone 4-2 straight up in its last six games as a road “chalk” against Northeast Division foes. However, the B’s went 2-4 on the puck line in those tests.

Blackhawks at Canucks

It was nice to see the Blackhawks finally decided to show up in Game 4 for a 7-2 win against Vancouver to avoid the sweep on home ice. It turns out that all Chicago needed was Dave Bolland to come back from a concussion. The Blackhawks’ pivot scored a goal and assisted on three others to help them stave off elimination.

I’m sure there are people out there that believe Chicago is about to do like the Flyers did last year against Boston with the ultimate 0-3 comeback. But it was fairly apparent that the Canucks didn’t have their heads in this game the moment they were down 3-1 in the second period. The only surprise for Vancouver in that contest was that Roberto Luongo actually started in goal in the third period.

The oddsmakers weren’t worried about the Canucks, installing them as heavy $2.10 home favorites with a total of 5½. And Vancouver has recently obliged the big chalk eaters out there by winning seven of its last 10 home games SU as a favorite of at least -200.The ‘under’ is just 5-4-1 in those tests.

Sharks at Kings

The final game of the night won’t be on national television, which is probably a good thing for the Kings. Los Angeles had the second-biggest collapse in Stanley Cup Playoff history on Tuesday night in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Sharks. The second OT win for San Jose in this series, taking the 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven war.

Los Angeles definitely had a soul crushing defeat, but can pick itself up. The Kings will have to make a concerted effort to keep tight on Patrick Marleau to even this series. Marleau was the catalyst for the comeback by scoring the first goal for the Sharks and helped create the next two lamp lighters for them as well. However, I can easily make a case for the Kings’ defense to get back into gear after letting San Jose drop 18 shots on goal in that second period from hell.

Most sportsbooks have listed the Sharks as $1.20 road faves with a total of five. San Jose has only been a road “chalk” nine times since the New Year. In those games, they are 5-4 SU and 1-8 PL. The ‘over’ is on a four-game winning streak in that situation. Those aren’t the best numbers to drop money on. The Kings, however, are 6-1 SU and 5-2 PL when coming off an overtime loss this season. They’ve already cashed in that role during this series. Also, the ‘under’ is a pristine 7-0 in those games as well.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

What Bettors Need to Know: Thursday's NHL Playoff Action

Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens (+103, 5)

Montreal leads series 2-1

THE STORY: Home-ice advantage? Guess again. Through the first three games of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series, the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens have been gracious hosts. Too gracious, to be fair. Boston permitted Montreal to skate away with a pair of wins in Games 1 and 2 at TD Garden, but the Canadiens were every bit at generous on Monday as the Bruins seized a 4-2 triumph in Game 3. Montreal coach Jacques Martin would like to see his team be rude to their Original Six guests in Game 4 on Thursday at the Bell Centre.

TV: 7 ET, VERSUS, CBC

ABOUT THE BRUINS: Coach Claude Julien's club did its best to put its troubles away by taking a visit to Lake Placid, N.Y. While the Bruins aren't searching for a "miracle", they were able to enjoy a little peace in the process. "I think it's a good idea to just kind of get away, relax, a little bit more quiet environment, and for myself personally, I'll be happy to look around and see a lot of the things from the 1980 Olympics," goaltender Tim Thomas said. Thomas overcame a pair of soft goals to turn aside 34 shots on Monday. Captain Zdeno Chara returned after missing Game 2 due to dehydration and was credited with an assist on Monday. David Krejci, Nathan Horton, Rich Peverley scored and Chris Kelly added an empty-net tally to secure the victory.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS: As spectacular as Carey Price had been in the first two games of the series, well ... let's just say he had his difficulties in Game 3. The 23-year-old British Columbia native permitted two quick goals and allowed the eventual game-winner after making a turnover 2:02 into the second period. He settled down to stop 21 shots in a losing effort. Andrei Kosyn returned from a one-game absence due to a foot injury and scored the first goal of Monday's contest. Tomas Plekanec also tallied and Cammalleri notched a pair of assists in the loss.

WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Boston's Milan Lucic recorded a career-high 30 goals this season, but he has failed to score in his last 13 games. For his part, Cammalleri has collected a goal and three assists in the first three games of the series.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Both clubs aren't lighting up the scoreboard with their respective power plays. After an 0-for-5 effort in Game 3, Montreal is now 1-for-12 with the man-advantage. For its part, Boston has failed to score on all 11 of its power-play opportunities in this series. Taken a step further, the Bruins have converted just five of their last 44 chances with the man-advantage.

TRENDS:

* Over is 2-0-3 in the last five meetings in Montreal.
* Bruins are 8-21 in the last 29 meetings in Montreal.
* Bruins are 4-11 in the last 15 meetings.

LAST WORD: He makes a huge difference. He's one of the most important players, if not the most important player, on this team. He's one of, if not the best, defensemen in the league." - Thomas, on Chara's importance to the Bruins.

Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks (-205, 5.5)

Vancouver leads series 3-1

THE STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks weren't ready to be on the wrong end of a postseason sweep, and they made a loud statement to that effect with Tuesday's blowout victory in Game 4. The defending champions look to stay alive Thursday as they visit the Vancouver Canucks in Game 5.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Versus, CBC, RDS, Comcast Sports Chicago

ABOUT THE CANUCKS: Vancouver played what was easily its worst game in a while, dropping a 7-2 decision Tuesday on the strength of four second-period goals by the Blackhawks. Sami Salo's first-period goal and Daniel Sedin's third-period power-play marker provided the lone offense for the Canucks, while Roberto Luongo was given a seat in the third after allowing six goals on 28 shots. He'll be back in net for Game 5 at Rogers Arena, where he went 21-7-4 with a 1.90 goals-against average in the regular season and has stopped 55 of 58 shots so far in the postseason. Sedin is alone at the top of the scoring ledger with six points, but he and twin brother combined to go -7 in Game 4 and will need to be better if Vancouver is going to clinch the series Thursday.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS: Facing elimination Tuesday, the Blackhawks did exactly what they needed to do. Dave Bolland led the way in his first game back after missing more than a month with a concussion. He had a goal and three assists as Chicago ravaged Vancouver's vaunted defense, scoring several times from in close. Patrick Sharp was the Blackhawks' other offensive star, scoring twice in the third period. Corey Crawford took care of things at the other end of the ice, stopping 21 shots for his first career playoff victory. After more than doubling their goal-scoring output from the first three games on Tuesday, Chicago's next challenge will be duplicating that success in Vancouver. The Hawks have scored 13 goals in their last four games at Rogers Arena but have just one win to show for it.

WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Canucks F Ryan Kesler has been mostly invisible so far. A 41-goal scorer in the regular season, Kesler has yet to find the net in this series, though he does have three assists. Chicago F Marian Hossa is in an even worse funk with one assist and a -3 rating in four games.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Vancouver had the top power play in the NHL in the regular season, and that trend has continued into the playoffs. The Canucks have converted on four of 10 man advantage opportunities in the series, tops in the league. Chicago is 4 of 19 so far in the playoffs, good for ninth overall.

TRENDS:

* Over is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings in Vancouver.
* Home team is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings.
* Underdog is 20-9 in the last 29 meetings.
* Blackhawks are 1-5 in the last six meetings.

LAST WORD: "Not often we can say we got outworked. They won most of the one-on-one battles. It's about work ethic. We can fix that easily." - Canucks coach Alain Vigneault on Tuesday's forgettable performance in Game 3.

San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings (+109, 5)

San Jose leads series 2-1

THE STORY: Happiness or heartbreak? The answer to that question depends on which Golden State team you follow. For example, the Pacific Division champion San Jose Sharks will admit to the former after they erased a four-goal deficit to record a 6-5 overtime triumph on Tuesday in Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinal series. Devin Setoguchi scored 3:09 into overtime to cap the comeback. San Jose's victory marked the fourth time in NHL playoff history that a team rallied from four or more goals to win. The Minnesota North Stars last accomplished the feat on April 28, 1985 with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. For their part, the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Kings are mired in heartbreak, knowing that they - not their opponent - should be owning a 2-1 advantage in the series. The teams will reconvene on Thursday at the Staples Center for Game 4.

TV: 10:30 ET, TSN, RIS

ABOUT THE SHARKS: For all of the positives that came out of Tuesday's impressive victory, Antti Niemi's performance was not one of them. Last year's Stanley Cup hero permitted four goals on just 10 shots before being relieved by fellow Finn Antero Niittymaki. For his part, Niittymaki turned aside 11 of 12 shots as the Sharks quickly turned it around. Niemi will likely return to his place between the pipes on Thursday, but coach Todd McLellan isn't publicly saying so. Ryan Clowe tallied twice and Calder Trophy finalist Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski also scored during a franchise-best five-goal second period for the Sharks.

ABOUT THE KINGS: The Staples Center was in a frenzy after Brad Richardson's wrist shot from the slot beat Niemi just inside the post for Los Angeles' eighth straight unanswered goal of the series. That tally gave Los Angeles a 4-0 lead just minutes into the second period. Then, as we know, it all changed. Coach Terry Murray will be working overtime to rebuild the psyche of his club after it squandered such a lead. After stopping every shot in a Game 2 shutout, Jonathan Quick allowed six goals on 36 shots to drop his fourth decision in five contests. Defenseman Willie Mitchell and rookie Kyle Clifford scored 13 seconds apart early in the first period, Richardson, Michal Handzus and Ryan Smyth also tallied in Game 3.

WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Marleau collected a goal and an assist in Game 3 - marking his first points in this series. He set up Setoguchi's overtime tally with a brilliant centering feed. Richardson has one goal and two assists in his last two contests.

SPECIAL TEAMS: After scoring three power-play goals in their first two contests, the Kings remained scoreless on two opportunities during Game 3. For their part, the Sharks rebounded from an 0-for-5 effort in Game 2 by scoring one of their three power-play chances on Tuesday. San Jose owned the third-best percentage (23.5) with the man-advantage in the regular season.

* Over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings.
* Sharks are 17-7 in the last 24 meetings in Los Angeles.
* Sharks are 36-17-1 in the last 54 meetings.

LAST WORD: "It was a great game. Words can't even describe coming back from down four goals. We had some unlucky bounces in the first period, we know that. The puck was bouncing everywhere. ... We stuck with it, we kept playing. Everyone on our team pulled it together. We'll remember this game for a while." - Setoguchi

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ice Picks

Thursday’s Best NHL Bets

Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens (103, 5)

The home teams have been awful through three games of this series, and while that may be bad news for Boston in the long run, it benefited the team on Monday. The Bruins’ offense finally woke up and they earned a 4-2 road win at Montreal.

“They came out and played like a team that was down two games, and we played like a team that was up two games,” Montreal goaltender Carey Price told NHL.com.

David Krejci opened the scoring with his first lamp-lighter since March 31 while Rich Peverley, Nathan Horton, and Chris Kelly all scored their first goals of the series. Boston found the back of the net on four occasions for the first time since March 24.

Perhaps the initial two games of the series (2-0 and 3-1 road wins for Montreal) were the aberration instead of the norm. Only the first of six regular-season meetings between the two teams went under the total. Among the point-scoring binges were an 8-6 Bruins’ victory in February and a 7-0 Bruins’ rout in March.

Pick: Over

Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks (-205, 5.5)

The defending Stanley Cup champions fended off elimination on Tuesday as the Blackhawks delivered a crushing 7-2 home win over Vancouver.

Did it turn the course of the series or did it only delay the inevitable? The Canucks, who still own a commanding 3-1 lead in the first round series, certainly hope for—and are confident in—the latter.

“I don't think there's just one area of tonight's game that we were real sharp,” head coach Alain Vigneault told NHL.com after the Game 3 loss. “So we're going to park this one, turn the page on it and get ready for the next one

“Like I've been mentioning since the first game, our process is one game at a time, focusing on the right things to do and (playing) with the right work ethic. And that's the way we're going to get ready for the next game.”

Game 3 notwithstanding, Vancouver has had Chicago’s number of late. Prior to Tuesday’s contest, the Canucks had won five in a row in the head-to-head series, including their final two tilts during the regular season.

Furthermore, Vancouver earned 27 home victories in the regular season—best in the entire league.

Pick: Canucks

 

[White_Tiger]

Free Selection from Razor Sharp

FREE PICK FOR THURSDAY: DALLAS/PORTLAND OVER the total of 186

 

[White_Tiger]

Free Selection from High Stakes Syndicate

Free Selection for Thursday: Boston Red Sox - 155

 

[White_Tiger]

Free Selection from Totals4U

Thursday's free selection: Boston Red Sox/Los Angeles Angels over 8 runs

 

[White_Tiger]

Jim Feist's Thursday FREE Baseball Play:


04/21 04:10 PM MLB (957) HOUSTON ASTROS VS (958) NEW YORK METS
Take: (958) NEW YORK METS
Reason: A pair of last place teams meet in the Big Apple. Houston has a pop-gun offense and has been weak on the road. Starter J.A. Happ has not impressed, with a 5.79 ERA. It is unclear how much his recent oblique injury is a problem, but he is struggling. Control is a concern, walking 11 in 18 innings. Meanwhile, NY lefty Chris Capuano has more strikeouts than innings pitched and just 4 walks in 12+ innings. Play the NY Mets.

 

[White_Tiger]

Free Selection from Scott Spreitzer

Scott's Bonus Play for Thursday is the L.A. Dodgers with Kershaw over Jurrjens.