Service Plays Thursday 4/28/11

[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.

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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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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA News and Notes Thursday 4/28
Kobe Bryant, Lakers look to close out Hornets
By: Stephen Nover

But can the Lakers be trusted as a mid-sized road favorite in their first-round Western Conference playoff series against New Orleans after losing to the Hornets by five as a similar favorite in their last visit?

The teams meet Thursday night at 5:00 (PT) in New Orleans for Game 6 with TNT televising.

The Lakers lead the series 3-2. Oddsmakers believe Los Angeles will close out the series installing the Lakers as 5½-point favorites. The ‘over/under’ is 184.

If the Lakers beat New Orleans, they wouldn’t play again until Monday taking on the winner of the Portland-Dallas series.

Everything was in place for the Lakers on Tuesday in an impressive 106-90 home victory in Game 5. The Lakers were 9½-point favorites and the combined 196 points went ‘over’ the 183-point total.

Bryant shook off a sprained left ankle to score 19 points, including two intimidating dunks, in less than 29 minutes to spark Los Angeles.

The Lakers took advantage of their size edge to crush the Hornets on the board, 42-25, while scoring 22 second-chance points to New Orleans’ two second-chance points.

Andrew Bynum had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Pau Gasol scored 16 points and had eight boards and Lamar Odom contributed 13 points and pulled down seven boards to spearhead the Lakers’ inside dominance.

Finally the Lakers showed the urgency needed if they are going to win the championship for the third consecutive season. The key to this Game 6 is if the Lakers can maintain their intensity.

The Lakers were sharp in Game 3 beating the Hornets, 100-86, as five-point road favorites. However, the Hornets came back to capture Game 4 at home, 93-88, as six-point ‘dogs.

Chris Paul had a monster triple-double in that victory with 27 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds. The Lakers clamped down on Paul in Game 5, although he still produced 20 points on six-of-12 shooting from the floor and had 12 assists.

Obviously, the Hornets will be going all out being at home with their playoff lives at stake. The underdog has covered 17 of the past 23 times between these two teams.

Bryant was on crutches following Game 4 after suffering his ankle injury. He shot 62 percent from the floor in Game 5 on his bad ankle making eight of 13 shots from the field. Bryant shot just 42 percent from the floor during the first four games of the series.

If Bryant has regained his shooting touch, the Lakers should be in good shape to cover the number given their height advantage and bench superiority. Los Angeles’ reserves outscored New Orleans’ bench players by 17 points this past Tuesday. The Hornets’ reserves are averaging 12.5 points in their last four games.

The Hornets are 1-4 ATS in their last five games when playing on one day rest. There are other trends favoring the Lakers: Los Angeles is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 road contests when meeting a foe with a winning home mark. The Lakers have covered nine of their last 13 overall road matchups.

The Lakers also have covered in five of their last seven trips to New Orleans. The road team in this series has covered 15 of the past 21 times.

The two teams have gone ‘over’ in eight of their last 11 head-to-head meetings, including four of the last five in New Orleans. The ‘over’ has cashed in six of the Lakers’ last eight games. The ‘over’ has won six of the past seven times when the Hornets played with one day rest.

The ‘under,’ though, is 42-19 during the past 61 times the Lakers have played on one day of rest.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA News and Notes Thursday 4/28
NBA Betting: Dallas Mavericks at Portland
By: Michael Robinson

The Dallas Mavericks look to break the home court stranglehold and eliminate the Portland Trail Blazers when they travel to the Pacific Northwest on Thursday night.

The Don Best odds screen has Portland as 4½-point home favorites with a total of 182 points. TNT will have the broadcast from the Rose Garden at 7:30 p.m. (PT).

Dallas (60-27 straight-up, 48-36-3 against the spread) leads this series 3-2, but lost both games in Portland and is 0-4 there this season. The home team has won all five playoff games and the nine contests between the teams this season.

Coach Rick Carlisle is still having nightmares about last Saturday’s Game 4 in Portland. His team led by 23 points (64-41) with 2:30 left in the third quarter, but was outscored 43-18 the rest of the way. Portland’s 84-82 win was one of the biggest comebacks in NBA playoff history, although it didn’t ‘cover’ the four-point spread.

The Mavericks were certainly stunned heading home for Monday’s Game 5, but it didn’t stop them. Center Tyson Chandler easily had his best game of the series with 14 points and 20 rebounds and Dallas won 93-82 as five-point favorites. Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points and he’s leading Dallas in the playoffs at 26.2 PPG.

The 175 combined points scored last game went ‘under’ the 183½-point total. The ‘under’ is 2-0 in the last two games and 3-2 in the series (going 1-1 in Portland).

Dallas is 4-0-1 ATS this series, ‘covering’ all three home games It ‘pushed’ Game 3 in Portland, a 97-92 loss as five-point underdogs. Dallas out-shot Portland from the floor (51.5-48 percent) but lost the turnover battle (16-9). Taking care of the ball will be ultra-important on Thursday.

The Mavericks have been knocked out in the first round of the playoffs three of the last four years. Carlisle was the coach the last two years, losing to San Antonio in the first round last season and to Denver in the conference semis in 2009.

The Trail Blazers (50-37 SU, 43-40-4 ATS) have been scrappy all year and aren’t about to be eliminated now without a big effort. They won 48 regular season games despite losing center Greg Oden for the year (again) and playing with guard Brandon Roy at far less than 100 percent. There have been 18 different players to suit up for them this season.

Roy is limited to being a bench player with his knee problems, but he still likes performing for the home fans. He had 18 points in the fourth quarter of Game 4’s comeback, scoring 40 in total in the two home playoff games. That’s in contrast to his big struggles in Dallas (2.3 PPG).

Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is the star of the team and need to play up to his capabilities. He’s averaging a team-high 20.2 PPG this series, but just 16.7 PPG the last three games on 40 percent shooting. He must play a lot better because Roy can’t be counted on for another monster game.

Aldridge must also do a better job on the boards (7.0 RPG this series). Portland was out-rebounded 49-37 last game and center Marcus Camby may be forced into more minutes to help neutralize Chandler.

The two days rest for this game could be more valuable for Dallas. Aging point guard Jason Kidd looked spry in the first two games (21 PPG), shooting 16-of-25 from the field (64 percent). Both were with two days rest. The 38-year-old is averaging just 7.0 PPG the last three games, all on just one day rest.

Neither team is reporting any significant injuries. Dallas could get Caron Butler (knee) back for the second round after being out since Jan. 1.

A Portland win will force a Game 7 in Dallas on Saturday in a winner-take-all scenario.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA News and Notes Thursday 4/28
Thursday's Playoff Tips
By Kevin Rogers

The first round of the NBA playoffs is winding down with a trio of Game 6's on Thursday night. A pair of road teams in the Western Conference try to close things out with the Lakers and Mavericks each leading their respective series, 3-2. We'll start in Atlanta with the Hawks attempting to put Tuesday's Game 5 blowout loss to Orlando behind them.

Magic at Hawks

The shots finally fell for Orlando in a resounding 101-76 rout of Atlanta in the pivotal Game 5 as the series shifts back to Philips Arena. The Magic looks to even the series at three games apiece with a victory on Thursday, even though Orlando is 0-4 SU/ATS this season at Atlanta. The key for the Hawks is not allowing the Magic to duplicate their long-range prowess from Game 5.

Stan Van Gundy's faced elimination thanks to shooting a horrific 19-for-100 from three-point range in the first four games of this series, including a 2-for-23 effort in the 88-85 setback in Game 4. The Magic shot significantly better in Game 5 by drilling 11 of 26 attempts from long distance, including three treys and 17 points from Jason Richardson. The Hawks reverted back to last postseason's inept play against the Magic by shooting just 36% from the floor, while Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford combined to make four field goals in 20 attempts.

Orlando ended a seven-game ATS drought against Atlanta by easily cashing as seven-point favorites in Game 5, as the Magic will lay points for the sixth time in the series on Thursday. Game 6 will mark the 14th straight meeting between these two teams that Orlando has been favored, while the Magic owns a 5-8 ATS mark in this stretch (1-8 ATS the last nine matchups). The 'under' continues to hit in this series, now riding a four-game streak and 8-1 this season.

The Magic is listed as two-point favorites, while the total is set at 178. The game will be televised nationally on NBA TV.

Lakers at Hornets

For the second straight postseason, the Lakers will look to close the door in a Game 6 on the road as Los Angeles travels back to the Big Easy to battle the Hornets. New Orleans took an early lead in Game 5, but the Lakers rallied back for a 106-90 triumph as 9½-point favorites to take a 3-2 series advantage.

The two-time defending champions didn't need a major scoring effort from the banged-up Kobe Bryant (19 points in 28 minutes) as six Lakers reached double-figures. Both teams shot 49% from the floor, but the Lakers cleaned up on the boards by outrebounding the Hornets, 42-25. In spite of three players scoring at least 20 points (Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza, and Marco Belinelli), the Hornets tallied just 39 points in the second half to stand one game away from elimination.

The Lakers managed a split in New Orleans for Games 3 and 4, winning Game 3 with a 100-86 victory as five-point 'chalk.' The Hornets evened things up in Game 4 by bouncing the Lakers, 93-88 as six-point home underdogs, while Paul put together one of his best career games with a triple-double. However, the Lakers own a killer instinct when attempting to close out a series by going 11-1 SU and 9-3 ATS since 2008 in series-clinchers.

Los Angeles is listed as 5½-point favorites with the total set at 184. The game can be seen nationally on TNT.

Mavericks at Blazers

Probably the most entertaining series from a competitive standpoint has taken place between Dallas and Portland as Rick Carlisle's squad looks to eliminate the Blazers. Dallas rebounded from the Game 4 meltdown at the Rose Garden when the Mavs squandered a 23-point second half lead to beat the Blazers at home, 93-82 as five-point favorites in Game 5. Now, the Mavs hope to advance to the conference semifinals for only the second time since 2007 with a victory in Game 6.

Dallas broke away from Portland on Monday thanks to a strong third quarter in which the Mavs outscored the Blazers, 31-20. The Mavs didn't shoot well from the floor (41%), but Dirk Nowitzki carried the scoring load with a game-high 25 points and Tyson Chandler pulled down 20 rebounds to move Dallas closer to the second round.

VegasInsider.com's Chris David says there's no reason to get off the home bandwagon in this series, "It's hard not to back Portland in this spot, considering the home team has won all five games in this series and the four encounters during the regular season as well. The difference in this postseason is that the Mavericks have covered all five of the battles, including the third and fourth installments from Rose Garden."

The Mavs are riding an 8-0-1 ATS run since April 8, even though Dallas has been listed as an underdog only twice in this span (Games 3 and 4 at Portland). The Blazers haven't covered a game in this series, while going 13-3 SU and 8-8 ATS at the Rose Garden off a defeat this season.

David gives a solid breakdown of how gamblers can cash assuming this series goes to the brink, "The money-line price on the Trail Blazers in Game 6 is minus-200 (Bet $200 to win $100), which is a little steep but certainly doable. Rather than laying the points or the money-line price in tonight's contest, the smarter approach might be taking Portland on the current series price, which is close to plus-325 (Bet $100 to win $325). If the Blazers force a Game 7, then you're going to see a short spread in Dallas for the clincher on Saturday. And then that's when you hedge back."

The Blazers will try to force a Game 7 as 4½-point favorites, while the total is set at 182. The game will be televised nationally on TNT.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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

Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks (+2, 178)

Atlanta leads series 3-2

THE STORY: The Atlanta Hawks are seeking a clinching victory and the Orlando Magic will attempt to notch a breakthrough road win when Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first-round series is staged in the Peach State on Thursday. Orlando lost Games 3 and 4 in Atlanta and a third road loss would result in the franchise’s initial first-round playoff exit since 2007. A victory would set up a Game 7 on Saturday that would represent an opportunity for Orlando to become just the ninth team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit. The Hawks played horribly while being routed 101-76 in Game 5 and would like to wrap up the series in their home venue.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV

ABOUT THE HAWKS: Atlanta’s forgettable Game 5 showing included dreadful performances from guards Jamal Crawford and Joe Johnson, who were averaging a combined 44 points through four contests. Crawford had eight points and Johnson scored just five. Josh Smith had 22 points and 11 rebounds, but connected on just seven of 18 shots. Marvin Williams, who had 12 points, was the only other Atlanta player in double figures. Atlanta posted its lowest scoring output of the series and also allowed its most points. The Hawks’ homecourt victories in the series were by scores of 88-84 and 88-85.

ABOUT THE MAGIC: Dwight Howard finally received a lot of help from his teammates so his single-digit scoring effort in Game 5 was inconsequential. Howard had eight points and eight rebounds after averaging 32.3 points and 17.5 rebounds through the first four games. Jason Richardson had a team-high 17 points in his return from serving a one-game suspension after his scrap with Zaza Pachulia in Game 3. J.J. Redick was a factor for the first time in the series with 14 points and helped Orlando jump out to a 13-point first-quarter lead with 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting in the frame. Overall, Orlando received 49 points from its bench with Ryan Anderson (11 points) also scoring in double figures. The Magic rediscovered their 3-point shooting prowess by hitting 11 of 26 attempts.

WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Redick scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting in Game 5 after making just 6 of 26 shots in the first four contests. Johnson scored just five points on 2-of-12 shooting in Game 5 after averaging 20 points over the first four contests.

KEY STATISTIC: Orlando shot 42.3 percent from 3-point range in the Game 5 victory. The Magic shot just 21.9 percent from behind the arc in the first four games.

TRENDS:

* Under is 20-6 in the last 26 meetings.
* Under is 18-6 in the last 24 meetings in Atlanta.
* Home team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Magic are 1-8 ATS in the last nine meetings.
* Underdog is 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings.
* Magic are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings in Atlanta.

LAST WORD: “We’re in a situation where we still feel good about ourselves. We’ll go back home. We still have an opportunity. Our fans are gonna be behind us, just as their fans were behind them. So we’re gonna put this game behind us as fast as we can.” – Atlanta coach Larry Drew after his team was routed in Game 5.

Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Hornets (+5.5, 184)

Los Angeles leads series 3-2

THE STORY: Kobe Bryant went over – and through – the New Orleans Hornets, making his sprained left ankle appear just fine with two thunderous dunks in scoring 19 points as the Los Angeles Lakers earned a 106-90 victory in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round series Tuesday night. “It looked like he had his Afro back,” said teammate Shannon Brown. The Lakers will try to close out the series in Game 6 on Thursday night in New Orleans. They are 22-4 in series after winning Game 5.

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

ABOUT THE LAKERS: In addition to Bryant, the Lakers got their most balanced game of the series with six players in double figures. Pau Gasol had 16 points in his best game so far and Andrew Bynum turned in another double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Bryant shrugged off the ankle injury and talk of why he did not have an MRI. “I didn't feel like it was broken,” the superstar said. “And even if it (were) it wouldn't have mattered. I would have played anyway. So it (would have been) a waste of time. I would've had to … sit in 405 traffic for two hours. It’s not like we would have told you the results anyway.”

ABOUT THE HORNETS: New Orleans has played admirably in this series, pushing the Lakers deeper than most expected, but now the Hornets are down to their last chance. “We’re definitely not just going to let them come into our house and push us around,” Hornets forward Carl Landry said. “That’s not happening.” Trevor Ariza led the Hornets with 22 points, including 10 in the first quarter when Bryant seemed a step slow. Chris Paul had 20 points and 12 assists, but took no shots from the field in the third quarter. The Hornets also got very little help from their bench, being outscored 29-14.

WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Bryant shot 8 of 13 and set the tone by driving the lane for a one-handed dunk over Emeka Okafor in the second quarter. Ariza made 5 of 8 3-pointers after going just 2 of 10 in the series.

KEY STATISTIC: The Lakers outrebounded the Hornets 42-25 and had a huge advantage in second-chance points, 22-2.

TRENDS:

* Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in New Orleans.
* Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
* Lakers are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings in New Orleans.
* Road team is 15-6 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
* Underdog is 17-6 ATS in the last 23 meetings.

LAST WORD: “It looked like he (Okafor) was going to challenge me at the rim, and I decided to accept the challenge. ... It's a message for us that this was important. It's time to raise up and do what we've got to do.” – Bryant on his monstrous dunk over Okafor

Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers (-4.5, 182)

Dallas leads series 3-2

THE STORY: The Dallas Mavericks will try to close out their first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 6 on Thursday night at the Rose Garden. That will not be easy considering that the Mavericks are just 2-18 in their last 20 playoff road games and the home team has won all nine meetings between these teams this season. A big key for both teams has been controlling the boards. Tyson Chandler had his best output of the playoffs with 14 points and a career playoff-best 20 rebounds in Game 5 as Dallas never allowed Portland to make a serious run in the fourth quarter.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, CSNW

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS: Finally, the Mavericks received the kind of game they had been waiting for from Chandler, who had 16 total points in the first four contests of the series. Dallas outscored Portland 17-8 in second-chance points and had 20 offensive rebounds. “From start to finish, we played aggressive,” Chandler said. “We did the same thing in Portland, but only for three quarters. (Tonight) we did it for four quarters and that's why we got the win." Dirk Nowitzki has scored at least 20 points in all five games of the series. He had 25 in Game 5 on Monday. Jason Terry scored 20 and Jason Kidd had 14 assists.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Portland will again try to use the home court to its advantage. The Blazers rallied from 23 points down late in the third quarter to win Game 4. “There's a big home-court advantage in this series,” Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge said. “Going home, we get a lot of good play from a lot of guys. Guys play more confident at the house. We should have the edge.” Aldridge had 12 points and nine rebounds, but the Blazers might need more scoring from their best threat. Gerald Wallace had 16 points and nine rebounds, but 10 came when the game was already decided. Brandon Roy cooled off considerably with five points after scoring 24 in Game 4.

WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Chandler, who entered the game averaging 4.0 points and 7.5 rebounds, had 20 rebounds - including a franchise playoff-best 13 offensive rebounds. Andre Miller made 8-of-14 field goals for 18 points and had seven assists.

KEY STATISTIC: Dallas had a big advantage on the boards, 49-37, and in turn was 26-of-35 from the foul line to Portland’s 14-of-19 effort. The Trail Blazers shot just one free throw in the first half compared to 14 for the Mavericks.

TRENDS:

* Mavericks are 4-0-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Home team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.
* Favorite is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings.

LAST WORD: “We’ve got to find a way. We know that they’re going to hit us with a lot of pressure and a lot of physical play early and we’ve got to respond well to that.” – Dallas coach Rick Carlisle on Game 6.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pick 'n' Roll

Thursday’s Best NBA Bets

Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers (-4.5, 182)

The Trail Blazers need to have a huge Rose Garden crowd behind them to have a chance in this series.

To take Game 3, Portland needed the crowd to force 10 Dallas misses from the free throw line. In a Game 4 win, Portland again needed the euphoric crowd behind them to power them to a 23-point comeback.

But most of all, Portland needed the crowd to energize Brandon Roy.

The Blazers guard is playing with virtually no ligaments in his knees from keeping the bones from rubbing together. He needs every bit of extra boost the crowd has given him and boy have they delivered.

“With everything I’ve been through this season, it all came into that moment there on the court,” Roy said after the Game 2 win, “when guys were grabbing me and cheering me on. It was real special.”

For the two games in the Pacific Northwest, he averaged 20 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game but in the three losses in Dallas, he has averaged 2.3 points, 1.6 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game.

The Trail Blazers and Roy must do a better job attacking Dallas’ zone defense looks if they are to force a return trip to Dallas.

“They were doing some other things to try to slow me down, like showing on the pick-and-roll,” Roy said. “They did a good job of adjusting, but I just have to be aggressive. I have to stay with looking to score a little more.”

And with the way Roy plays at home, they should.

Pick: Portland

Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Hornets (+5.5, 184)

Game 5 in Los Angeles wasn’t just a 15-point victory for the hosts. It was the Lakers showing the Hornets what playoff basketball is really about.

“In my opinion, when we went to the basket tonight, they were putting us on the ground,” Hornets coach Monty Williams said. “At some point you have to know how to make a playoff foul. Whether it comes from this experience, with our team we have to learn how to not allow [Kobe Bryant] to get that play off because our guys are going down when they go to the basket whether it’s on a free-throw, rebound, or when they attack the basket.”

The Lakers did whatever they wanted in the victory, outrebounding there guests 42-25 and holding a 30-21 free throw advantage. Overall, six players scored in double figures for the Lakers and Shannon Brown chipped in with eight off the bench as well.

Most importantly, Kobe – bum ankle and all – needed to do little more than facilitate the attack. He finished with 19 points on 13 shots and played fewer than 29 minutes. Most importantly, he wasn’t knocked all over the court by the Hornets.

“There was more focus to be physical tonight and I know you guys saw it,” Williams added. “A lot of it, it’s just not basketball so it’s just one of those things we have recognize and withstand that kind of play and overcome it.”

Too bad for the Hornets, they won’t be able to.

Pick: Los Angeles

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL News and Notes Thursday 4/28
Vancouver Canucks draw Predators
By: Brad Young

The Stanley Cup postseason chase continues with the conference semifinals set in the Western Conference. The first-round was devoid of some major upsets, with the top three seeds advancing past the opening round and the fifth seed eclipsing the fourth seed.

Top-seed Vancouver (54-19-4-5) escaped the first-round upset bid from defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago. The Canucks opened the season as a 12/1 selection to capture the cup, but are currently 7/2.

Fifth-seed Nashville (44-27-7-4) won its first playoff series in team history by dumping Anaheim in six games. The Predators have seen their Stanley Cup odds improve steadily throughout the year, opening at 40/1 before residing at their current 12/1.

Don Best's Real-Time Odds show Vancouver as 220 home ‘chalk’ in Game 1 over Nashville, with the total set at five. The puck drops Thursday at 6:00 p.m. (PT).

The Canucks are also decided 330 favorites to win this series and advance to the conference finals, while the Predators are a 270 underdog.

Vancouver won the first three games versus Chicago in the opening round before dropping the next three matchups to force a dramatic Game 7. The Canucks escaped with the overtime victory as a 165 home favorite, 2-1, while the combined three goals went ‘under’ the 5½-goal closing total.

Left wing Alex Burrows scored both goals in the Game 7 triumph, lighting the lamp just 2:43 into the contest. The game winner occurred 5:22 into overtime to eliminate the team that has ended Vancouver’s season the previous two years.

Burrows spent an early part of the extra session in the penalty box, and he also missed a penalty shot early in the third period.

The Canucks finished the game with advantages in faceoffs, 33-29, and shots on goal, 38-32. Vancouver appeared headed to a 1-0 victory in regulation until Chicago tied the game on a shorthanded goal with less than two minutes remaining.

Nashville toppled Anaheim in Game 6 as 141 home ‘chalk,’ 4-2, while the combined six goals slithered ‘over’ the 5 ½-goal closing total. The ‘over’ cashed in the Predators’ past five performances.

Nick Spaling netted two goals in the victory, while Jordin Tootoo assisted on both tallies. Steve Sullivan and David Legwand also lit the lamp, while netminder Pekka Rinne stopped 25 shots. Nashville enjoyed advantages in faceoffs won, 33-22, and shots on goal, 30-27.

This series was tied at two games apiece before the Predators took the last two outings. Nashville dispatched the Ducks in overtime in Game 5 as a 130 road underdog, 4-3, while the combined seven goals toppled the five-goal closing total.

Vancouver and Nashville met four times during the regular season, with both teams winning twice. The Canucks prevailed Jan. 26 as 180 home ‘chalk,’ 2-1, and March 29 as a 108 road favorite, 3-1. The Predators triumphed Feb. 17 as 117 home ‘chalk,’ 3-1, and March 3 as a 169 road underdog, 3-0.

The ‘under’ cashed in all four of those matchups.

Nashville left wing Martin Erat (upper body injury) is ‘probable’ for Game1 versus the Canucks, while center Cal O’Reilly (fibula) is ‘doubtful.’ Vancouver defenseman Sami Salo (leg) is ‘questionable’ for Game 1 against the Predators, while center Rick Rypien (personal) is ‘out’ indefinitely.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

What Bettors Need to Know: Predators at Canucks

Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks (-220, 5)

THE STORY: The Vancouver Canucks survived one of the most grueling playoff series in franchise history. They won't have much time to either savor or recover from their win over Chicago, as they host the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series Thursday night at Rogers Arena. Vancouver needed overtime in the seventh game to dispatch the Blackhawks, while the Predators have had several days to rest up after eliminating the Anaheim Ducks in six games.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Versus, CBC, RDS

ABOUT THE CANUCKS: The Presidents' Trophy winners never expected such a stiff challenge from Chicago, especially after going up 3-0 in the series. The defending-champion Blackhawks charged back to win the next three games and scored late in the third period of Game 7 to force overtime. There, Alex Burrows overcame a holding penalty early in the extra session to pot the winner as Vancouver advanced by the slimmest of margins. Goaltender Roberto Luongo, who was shelled in Games 4 and 5 and began Game 6 on the bench, made several outstanding stops in the deciding game to preserve the Canucks' victory. The Vezina Trophy nominee was solid against the Predators in the regular season, posting a goals-against average under two.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS: Nashville had its own postseason demons to exorcise, and did so with gusto against an Anaheim team that looked strong heading into the playoffs. The Predators got goals from 12 different players in the six-game victory, marking the first time in history Nashville has advanced to the second round. The Predators clinched the series with a 4-2 victory in Game 6, a win capped by David Legwand's empty-net goal. Legwand was the first player in Predators history, taken second overall in the 1998 draft. Nashville will have had three days of rest between games - two more than the Canucks, whose emotionally charged showdown with Chicago may have taken more out of them than most second-round teams.

WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Burrows scored twice in Game 7, and he and Daniel Sedin were responsible for eight of Vancouver's 16 goals in the first round. Nashville's Mike Fisher showed his worth in the opening round following a subpar regular-season stint, recording three goals and three assists in the series.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The teams are identical in power-play efficiency at 22.2 percent, with the Predators 6 for 27 and the Canucks 4 for 18.

SEASON SERIES: Nashville and Vancouver split four regular-season meetings, with each team winning once in the other club's building. Predators netminder and Vezina trophy candidate Pekka Rinne, who looked shaky at times against Anaheim, had a 1.26 goals-against average, a .962 save percentage and a shutout against the Canucks in the regular season.

LAST WORD: This marks the second time in four years that two Vezina Trophy finalists will face off in a postseason series. New Jersey's Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers were nominated in 2008 when they met in the first round of the playoffs. The Rangers won the series in five games, but Brodeur went on to capture his fourth Vezina.

TRENDS: Eight of the last 10 meetings between the two teams in Vancouver have played under the total.
Nashville has played over in five straight games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ice Picks

Thursday’s Best NHL Bet

Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks (-220, 5)

The Vancouver Canucks averted disaster and finally got past Chicago with a Game 7 win in overtime on Tuesday but the team still has to wonder, what will it take to get the Sedin twins going? The dynamic Swedes are among the league’s top forwards, but have struggled to find their rhythm lately.

Since taking a 3-0 lead on Chicago, Daniel and Henrik have combined for just two goals and are minus-13 their past four games and it’s not like the pair have exactly lit up the scoreboard in four games against Nashville this season. Splitting those games 2-2, the duo have combined for seven assists but have notched a mere goal between them in those contests.

If there is one thing Nashville learned against Anaheim, it’s how to deal with elite scorers.

The Predators advanced to the second round by dispatching the high-scoring Ducks. In that series, Nashville held Ryan Getzlaf (19 regular season goals) and Corey Perry (50 regular season goals) to only two goals each.

''We're not a team that usually scores a lot of goals, so we've got to take care of games defensively,'' said Nashville center Jerred Smithson. ''We had a little bit of a struggle there before Christmas, but we've come back.''

Gritty forward Nashville forward Mike Fisher, who was acquired this season from Ottawa, should also continue to impose his personality on this team and set the tone. That wouldn’t be a bad thing at all, as he had three goals and six points in the series against Anaheim.

Meantime, the Canucks are coming off an emotional game against Chicago, the same team that ended their season each of the past two seasons.

Beating a rested Nashville team with their two top guns sputtering will be too tall a task for Vancouver.

Pick: Nashville

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB News and Notes Thursday 4/28
MLB Betting Preview: SF Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates
By: Adam Markowitz

The Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants hardly belong on the same field together, and MLB betting fans know it. There is no comparison to what the G-Men and the Bucs have done in recent years, as one has a championship to its credit and the other hasn't had a winning season in the millennium.

Still, the two will meet in the first diamond duel of the day at PNC Park in the Steel City on Thursday, with the first pitch coming at 9:35 a.m. (PT).

The Giants have dominated this series over the course of the last few seasons, going 9-2 in their last 11 efforts against Pittsburgh. Sure, they haven't really dominated in terms of runs scored, as three of those games have gone to extra innings and have been won by a slender one run, but wins are wins.

The man on the bump on Thursday afternoon is going to be one who is familiar with this ballpark. Ryan Vogelsong was with the Pirates in 2005 and 2006, and he hadn't been heard from again at the MLB level until this season when the defending champs brought him up to the majors. Vogelsong hasn't made a start in the majors since 2004 with the Bucs, and he was never considered anywhere near an elite pitcher.

Vogelsong only has a 5.77 ERA for his career, and batters are knocking him around to the tune of a .279 average. This year though, he has pitched effectively in two relief efforts, allowing just three hits and no walks in 4 2/3 innings of work. Vogelsong has struck out three and walked none.

The right-hander out of Kutztown University has never faced the Pirates in his career His career numbers at PNC Park include a 5-12 record with a 6.27 ERA. He's in the rotation for the injured Barry Zito.

Jeff Karstens, who will be on the hill for the Bucs, has historically struggled trying to find wins in the Pittsburgh rotation, as he only has 14 victories in his 94 career appearances (52 of which have been starts).

However, this year Karstens already has a pair of W's and no defeats, including when he got the win against the Washington Nationals last weekend. Karstens allowed two runs in 6.0 innings of work, striking out three and walking just one.

Karstens has only tried his hand against the Giants twice in his career, and just once as a starter. He is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA, but even that number is probably deceptive, knowing that he has three more unearned runs allowed as well in just five innings of work.

Ironically, the Pirates might be a game and a half behind San Fran in the standings in the National League, but they are the team that has the better record on the MLB odds this year. Pittsburgh enters Wednesday's second game of this three-game series at plus $97 for the season, while the Giants, in spite of their .500 record, are minus $114.

PNC Park hasn't been good to the Bucs this year though, as they are just 3-7 as the hosts this season.

Rain clouds could be out for tomorrow's early start time, as the temperatures in the Steel City are going to be dropping. Whereas on Wednesday, storms and a high of 82 degrees are expected, Thursday should only see a high temp of 62 degrees with the probability of wet weather.

DJ Reyburn, with only three partial campaigns behind him, will be under the mask calling the plate for this contest. It's just his second game calling balls and strikes this season with the other an 'over' following a 12-11 'under' mark in 2010.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB News and Notes Thursday 4/28
NY Yankees, White Sox finish MLB betting series in Bronx
By: Willie Bee

Ozzie Guillen brought his bunch to the Big Apple beaten and bruised in the throes of a 1-10 stretch on the schedule. Two underdog wins later, the White Sox have a chance to at least win their series with the New York Yankees if not sweep all four games when the clubs conclude their set Thursday evening (4:05 p.m. PT).

Thursday's mound matchup has Edwin Jackson (3-2, 4.88) slated for the Pale Hose against New York lefty CC Sabathia (3-2, 2.73).

Chicago's success in the first two games of the series is directly attributed to starting pitching which has been the least of Guillen's worries so far this season. Philip Humber carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of Monday's series opener, a 2-0 ChiSox victory. Gavin Floyd tossed eight strong innings Tuesday, his only mistakes being solo homers by Robinson Cano and Brett Gardner. An 8th-inning clout by Paul Konerko helped Chicago to a 3-2 win.

Sergio Santos earned the save in both games that closed with the White Sox 175 and 120 underdogs respectively.

Wednesday's third game was still in progress with the Yankees 165 chalk in a matchup of veteran pitchers and former teammates, Mark Buehrle and Bartolo Colon.

Jackson will try and match the efforts of Humber and Floyd in Thursday's affair. It's the right-hander's fourth road start of the season with Chicago 1-2 in the previous three.

Detroit inflated Jackson's ERA in his most recent outing when Jackson allowed seven earned in 5 2/3 innings. Jackson also hasn't received any run support in his last two starts. The White Sox plated 19 runs in his first three assignments but have been blanked the last two games.

This will be Jackson's second appearance at this stadium, last pitching against the Yankees in the Bronx in July 2009. He lost a 2-1 decision on solo shots belted by Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira.

It's the fourth home start for Sabathia with New York winning two of the first three in front of the home crowd. It's also his fourth start against the White Sox since joining the Yankees, New York winning the first three. Two of the starts came in Chicago where Sabathia was knocked around pretty good allowing five earned in seven frames both starts.

The lack of offense in the first two games of this series is a big turnaround from last season's meetings between the clubs at Yankee Stadium. New York won two of the three games in the Bronx a year ago, all of which went 'over' with 10 runs the lowest combined score.

St. Louis native Gerry Davis will be working his 936th MLB game behind the plate on Thursday, the six this season splitting the totals down the middle. This will be his first appearance south of the dish at the new Yankee Stadium.

An 80 percent chance of thunderstorms is in the forecast for New York City on Thursday. The thermometer should be in the low-60s at game time with strong southerly winds in the 15-25 mph range (from 1B across to 3B). This is the only meeting between the teams in New York, and with the Yankees already having three games rained out, expect the umpires to go the extra mile to get this one played.

Joe Girardi's gang remains home for a weekend series with the Blue Jays that begins Friday night. The White Sox return home to start a six-game homestand, the first four against the Orioles in a wrap-around series before the Twins show up next week for a pair.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB News and Notes Thursday 4/28
Thursday MLB Betting Preview

The Giants try to keep their momentum going when they meet the Pirates, while the Jays attempt to upset the Rangers in MLB betting action Thursday.

San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates

San Francisco will try and close out the Pittsburgh Pirates as a +104 road underdog in their series finale on Thursday at PNC Park. The Giants slipped past the Pirates 3-2 in the opener on Tuesday.

Ryan Vogelsong (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is making the start for the Giants, while Jeff Karstens (2-0, 3.94 ERA) is taking the ball for the Pirates. Karstens is not known for going long distances in outings, and if Vogelsong can keep his control, it gives the Giants an edge on the MLB betting lines.

The Giants are hoping that history repeats itself as they have defeated the Pirates in two straight series. Five of the last seven head-to-head matchups have made winners of OVER bettors in totals betting.

Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers

Toronto will have its work cut out for it when it faces undefeated Alexi Oganda (3-0, 2.13 ERA) and the Texas Rangers, who will be -153 home favorities for the series finale on Thursday.

The Blue Jays will counter with Brandon Morrow (0-1, 5.14 ERA), who has won his last two starts against the Rangers. Toronto had won seven of nine head-to-head going into Wednesday night’s betting action.

Morrow’s success and the head-to-head record by the Blue Jays against the Rangers could make Toronto (+150) a good upset bet on the night. The first two games of this four-game set made winners of OVER bettors in totals betting.

Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks

Ryan Dempster (1-2, 7.63 ERA) has started the season slowly but he will get a chance to make up for an earlier loss to Arizona when the Cubs take on the Diamondbacks in the opener of a four-game series.

Barry Enright (0-2, 6.65 ERA) isn’t exactly tearing it up on the mound for Arizona either, and like Dempster has struggled head-to-head. Enright was involved in a no-decision when the teams met earlier this month in a series that was taken by the Cubs.

The Cubs have won eight of the last nine and should receive most of the attention from bettors on the MLB betting lines. The OVER bet has also profited in eight of the last nine between the teams.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Thursday's Best MLB Bets

Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks (-120, 9.5)

Ryan Roberts, Stephen Drew and Justin Upton are all off to great starts at the dish for the Diamondbacks and they had better pray that continues. Otherwise, this Arizona team could be in big trouble.

Arizona went into Wednesday’s game riding high after taking its first two games of the series against the powerful Phillies, while owning the eighth best scoring offense in the league.

"You're fortunate to beat a team like that, and Wednesday they'll be very motivated to not let us sweep them," manager Kirk Gibson told reporters after Tuesday’s 7-5 win. "We need to go on a run. That's what good teams do, and it's pretty tough business (against) these guys."

Gibson could make some cash on the side as a fortune teller with Arizona taking a beating from the Phillies in Game 3. Right now the Diamondbacks are allowing about 4.91 runs per game – 28th in the show and Chicago’s offense will benefit from a day off after Wednesday’s rain-out.

Pick: Over

San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates (-110, 8.5)

It’s been a long road for Ryan Vogelsong, who takes the hill for the Giants against his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pittsburgh acquired Vogelsong in a trade that sent Jason Schmidt to San Francisco way back in 2001 in a deal that ended up being terribly one-sided in San Fran’s favor.

Vogelsong struggled before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2003 and wasn’t much better after that, essentially pitching himself out of the bigs by the end of the 2006 season. He didn’t pitch in the majors again until last Sunday, but now he has a chance to face his old team on Thursday.

"I'm a little bit more mature," Vogelsong told reporters. "I'm able to think in certain situations instead of just throwing. I could always figure stuff out before, but maybe it was two or three hitters late -- or an inning late. I think I'm able to concentrate a little bit better and make adjustments on the fly."

The 33-year-old hasn’t allowed a run in 4 2/3 innings so far this year and we bet he’ll have a little extra in the tank on Thursday.

Pick: Giants

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NBA

Season
Straight Up: 831-360 (.698)
ATS: 623-618 (.502)
ATS Vary Units: 1471-1468 (.501)
Over/Under: 641-618 (.509)
Over/Under Vary Units: 773-758 (.505)

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game 6, best-of-7
Orlando 90, ATLANTA 89
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Game 6, best-of-7
L.A. Lakers 94, NEW ORLEANS 92
PORTLAND 93, Dallas 92

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NHL

Season: 390-296 (.569)

Western Conference Semifinals
Game 1, best-of-7
VANCOUVER 3, Nashville 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Accuscore

4*+4*SV Yankees -195 & Rangers -152
4*SV Indians -162 & Tigers -111

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

629 - 480 57 % Run over 3 YEARS

Freeone Thurs: Cleve Indians -158

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Heat (-10) Wednesday night.

Thursday it's the Magic. The deficit is 1,750 sirignanos.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hondo

Hondo succumbed with the Nationals again last night, but largely offset the damage with the Tribe, whose conquest of K.C. left him with the accounts payable at 465 durhams.

Today, Mr. Aitch will give Ogando an opportunity to earn a stall in his stable of stalwarts -- 10 units on the Rangers. Tonight, he'll give the nod to Davies and the Royals and do some Dempster diving with the Cubs -- 10 units apiece.

 

[jdsabre]

Soccer Crusher
Play of the Day:

Nordsjaelland + Randers UNDER 2.5
This match is happening in Holland