Today's NHL Picks
Boston at Carolina
The Hurricanes are coming off a 3-0 win in Boston and look to build on their 9-2 record in their last 11 games after allowing 2 or fewer goals in the previous game. Carolina is the pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the Hurricanes favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+100). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST
Game 21-22: Washington at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.610; Pittsburgh 12.544
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+160); Over
Game 23-24: Boston at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.860; Carolina 12.790
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-120); 5
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+100); Under
Boston at Carolina
The Hurricanes are coming off a 3-0 win in Boston and look to build on their 9-2 record in their last 11 games after allowing 2 or fewer goals in the previous game. Carolina is the pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the Hurricanes favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+100). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST
Game 21-22: Washington at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.610; Pittsburgh 12.544
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+160); Over
Game 23-24: Boston at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.860; Carolina 12.790
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-120); 5
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+100); Under
Today's NBA Picks
Houston at LA Lakers
The Lakers look to bounce back from their Game One loss, but are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 playoff games as a favorite, while the Rockets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 playoff games as an underdog between 5 and 10 1/2 points. Houston is the pick (+9 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has LA favored by only 4. Dunkel Pick: Houston (+9 1/2). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST
Game 711-712: Orlando at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 117.585; Boston 124.168
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 6 1/2; 185 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 3 1/2; 188
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-3 1/2); Under
Game 713-714: Houston at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 124.667; LA Lakers 128.868
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 4; 196
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 9 1/2; 192 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+9 1/2); Over
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Houston at LA Lakers
The Lakers look to bounce back from their Game One loss, but are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 playoff games as a favorite, while the Rockets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 playoff games as an underdog between 5 and 10 1/2 points. Houston is the pick (+9 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has LA favored by only 4. Dunkel Pick: Houston (+9 1/2). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST
Game 711-712: Orlando at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 117.585; Boston 124.168
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 6 1/2; 185 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 3 1/2; 188
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-3 1/2); Under
Game 713-714: Houston at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 124.667; LA Lakers 128.868
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 4; 196
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 9 1/2; 192 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+9 1/2); Over
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Today's MLB Picks
Milwaukee at Cincinnati
The Brewers are 3-15 in Manny Parra's last 18 starts, while the Reds are 13-4 in Bronson Arroyo's last 17 home starts. Cincinnati is the pick (-110) according to Dunkel, which has the Reds favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-110). Here are all of today's games
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST
Game 901-902: Atlanta at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Lowe) 13.381; Florida (Taylor) 14.614
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+140); Under
Game 903-904: Philadelphia at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Park) 14.743; NY Mets (Santana) 15.885
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-245); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-245); Under
Game 905-906: Milwaukee at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Parra) 15.735; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 16.812
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-110); Over
Game 907-908: Chicago Cubs at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Harden) 15.456; Houston (Hampton) 14.287
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-125); Over
Game 909-910: Pittsburgh at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Duke) 15.117; St. Louis (Boggs) 13.616
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+135); Over
Game 911-912: San Francisco at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Johnson) 14.376; Colorado (Jimenez) 15.934
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-140); Over
Game 913-914: Arizona at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Garland) 13.637; San Diego (Peavy) 14.534
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-180); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-180); Over
Game 915-916: Washington at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Cabrera) 15.443; LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 16.994
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-200); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-200); Under
Game 917-918: Minnesota at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Slowey) 14.617; Baltimore (Hendrickson) 15.775
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-120); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+110); Under
Game 919-920: Cleveland at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Pavano) 15.895; Boston (Masterson) 15.280
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-205); 11
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+185); Over
Game 921-922: Tampa Bay at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 16.094; NY Yankees (Burnett) 14.962
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-185); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-185); Over
Game 923-924: Detroit at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Galarraga) 14.464; White Sox (Buehrle) 15.553
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-110); Under
Game 925-926: Seattle at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Silva) 16.363; Kansas City (Ponson) 15.159
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-120); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+110); Under
Game 927-928: Texas at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Feldman) 14.993; Oakland (Giese) 16.067
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 929-930: Toronto at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Halladay) 16.775; LA Angels (Ortega) 15.386
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-160); Under
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Milwaukee at Cincinnati
The Brewers are 3-15 in Manny Parra's last 18 starts, while the Reds are 13-4 in Bronson Arroyo's last 17 home starts. Cincinnati is the pick (-110) according to Dunkel, which has the Reds favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-110). Here are all of today's games
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST
Game 901-902: Atlanta at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Lowe) 13.381; Florida (Taylor) 14.614
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+140); Under
Game 903-904: Philadelphia at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Park) 14.743; NY Mets (Santana) 15.885
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-245); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-245); Under
Game 905-906: Milwaukee at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Parra) 15.735; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 16.812
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-110); Over
Game 907-908: Chicago Cubs at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Harden) 15.456; Houston (Hampton) 14.287
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-125); Over
Game 909-910: Pittsburgh at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Duke) 15.117; St. Louis (Boggs) 13.616
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+135); Over
Game 911-912: San Francisco at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Johnson) 14.376; Colorado (Jimenez) 15.934
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-140); Over
Game 913-914: Arizona at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Garland) 13.637; San Diego (Peavy) 14.534
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-180); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-180); Over
Game 915-916: Washington at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Cabrera) 15.443; LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 16.994
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-200); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-200); Under
Game 917-918: Minnesota at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Slowey) 14.617; Baltimore (Hendrickson) 15.775
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-120); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+110); Under
Game 919-920: Cleveland at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Pavano) 15.895; Boston (Masterson) 15.280
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-205); 11
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+185); Over
Game 921-922: Tampa Bay at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 16.094; NY Yankees (Burnett) 14.962
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-185); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-185); Over
Game 923-924: Detroit at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Galarraga) 14.464; White Sox (Buehrle) 15.553
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-110); Under
Game 925-926: Seattle at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Silva) 16.363; Kansas City (Ponson) 15.159
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-120); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+110); Under
Game 927-928: Texas at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Feldman) 14.993; Oakland (Giese) 16.067
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 929-930: Toronto at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Halladay) 16.775; LA Angels (Ortega) 15.386
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-160); Under
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ROBERT FERRINGO
2-Unit Play. Take Chicago Cubs
2-Unit Play. Take St. Louis
2-Unit Play. Take Los Angeles Dodgers RL
2-Unit Play. Take Minnesota
1.5-Unit Play. Take Cincinnati
Today's Totals
1-Unit Play. Take Under 9.0 Chicago Cubs
1.5-Unit Play. Take Over 9.5 Washington
1-Unit Play. Take Over 9.0 San Francisco
2-Unit Play. Take Chicago Cubs
2-Unit Play. Take St. Louis
2-Unit Play. Take Los Angeles Dodgers RL
2-Unit Play. Take Minnesota
1.5-Unit Play. Take Cincinnati
Today's Totals
1-Unit Play. Take Under 9.0 Chicago Cubs
1.5-Unit Play. Take Over 9.5 Washington
1-Unit Play. Take Over 9.0 San Francisco
THE SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(3) Orlando (5-2 SU, 3-4 ATS) at (2) Boston (4-4 SU, 3-4-1 ATS)
After stealing Game 1 in Boston, the Magic look to go up 2-0 in their best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Celtics when the two square off inside TD Banknorth Garden.
Orlando built an 18-point halftime lead in Game 1 on Monday, pushed it to 28 points in the second half, then held for a 95-90 upset win in Boston, cashing as a 1½-point underdog. Dwight Howard led the way for the Magic, putting in 16 points and controlling the boards with 22 rebounds. Boston got 23 points from Paul Pierce but the backcourt of Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo combined to go 4-for-24 from the field, including 1-of-9 from the three-point line.
Orlando has now won four straight (3-1 ATS) and six of its last eight (4-4 ATS) overall. The Magic have won three straight road playoff games (2-1 ATS) and they are 28-16-1 ATS on the road this season. On the opposite side, Boston has alternated wins and losses in its last six games (3-2-1 ATS) and have already lost twice in front of the home fans in the playoffs, once more than all of last year’s postseason run.
The Magic have now won three straight over the Celtics, including the last two in Boston. Orlando won the final two games of the regular season, winning 86-79 in Beantown on March 8 as a 2 ½-point ‘dog and then edged the Celtics 84-82 at home on March 25 but came up short as a 3 ½-point favorite. The home team has won eight of the last 11 in this series and covered the number in 21 of the last 31, but Boston has gotten the cash in six of the last 10 overall and 12 of the last 16 in Boston.
Orlando is on ATS slides of 3-10 against teams from the Atlantic division, 4-9 overall and 2-5 on the road, but the Magic are on ATS runs of 37-16-3 as underdogs, 10-4 as road ‘dogs and 44-17-1 as a ‘dog of up to 4 ½ points. The Celtics are 0-6 ATS in their last six conference semifinal games and 6-15 ATS in their last 21 home games, but they are on positive ATS streaks of 8-4 after getting one day off and 5-2 against Southeast Division teams.
Game 1 of this series stayed under the 188 ½-point total and in this rivalry, the under is 5-1 in the last six overall, but the over has been the play in seven of the last 11 in Boston.
It’s been all unders for the Magic lately, including 9-3 on the road, 8-3 after a spread-cover, 5-1 overall, 5-1 as ‘dogs and 6-1 on the road against teams with winning home marks. Boston is on a plethora of “over” streaks, including 21-9 overall, 36-17-1 at home, 36-18 against the Eastern Conference, 17-5 as a favorite, 5-1 after getting a day off and 11-1 following a loss.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(5) Houston (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) at (1) L.A. Lakers (4-2 SU, 2-4 ATS)
Having stunned the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, the Rockets now try to make it two in a row in Game 2 of their best-of-7 series inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The Rockets led virtually wire-to-wire on Monday, beating the Lakers 100-92 as an 8½-point underdog to steal home-court advantage away from Los Angeles. Yao Ming delivered 28 points and 10 rebounds and led Houston to a 47.9 percent shooting night. Ron Artest had 21 points and seven assists and speedy point guard Aaron Brooks had 19 points. The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant got 32 points, but needed 31 shots to get there, while no other teammate had more than 14 points.
Houston has won four of its last five overall and has stolen the opening game of its playoff series for the second straight time. The Rockets, winners of 10 of their last 13 overall (8-5 ATS), also went to Portland and got a 108-81 Game 1 victory as five-point pups in their opening-round series.
Despite Monday’s setback, the Lakers needed just five games (2-3 ATS) to beat the Jazz in the opening round and have won 11 of their last 14 overall (7-7 ATS).
Monday’s win was Houston’s first over Phil Jackson’s Lakers this season. Los Angeles swept the four-game regular-season series (bioth SU and ATS), including two easy wins inside Staples Center. Los Angeles is still 7-4 ATS in the last 11 meetings overall and 5-2 ATS in the last seven played in Hollywood. Finally, the chalk is 4-2 in the last six series clashes.
Houston is on ATS slides of 4-9 against the Pacific Division, 11-24-1 after a spread-cover and 3-6 on the road against teams with winning home records, but the Rockets are 7-2 ATS in their last nine as a playoff ‘dog of five to 10 ½-points. The Lakers are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 as a playoff chalk, but otherwise they are on ATS streaks of 4-2 against Southwest Division squads, 4-2 after a non-cover and 7-3-1 in conference semifinal action.
The under has been the play in this series in the last three overall, including Monday’s total just getting in under the posted number, and five of the last eight.
The Rockets have topped the total in four of their last six against Pacific Division teams and seven of their last 11 against teams with winning records, but they are on “under” runs of 5-0 overall, 8-3 as a road ‘dog and 10-4 on the highway against teams with winning records. The Lakers have gone over the posted mark in four of six conference semifinal games but they are on “under” streaks of 12-3 at home against teams with a losing road record, 21-9 overall, 10-4 as a home chalk and 6-1 against Southwest Division teams.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Seattle (15-12) at Kansas City (16-11)
Two of the biggest surprises in baseball begin a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium, with the Mariners’ Carlos Silva (1-2, 7.36 ERA) set to oppose the Royals’ Sidney Ponson (0-4, 7.16) in a matchup of struggling journeyman right-handers.
Seattle has cooled off a bit after a hot start to the season, losing six of its last nine games, including getting swept in a two-game home series against the Rangers to start this week, falling 6-5 on Monday and 7-2 in 10 innings on Tuesday. Additionally, while the M’s have won seven of their last 10 on the road and eight of their last 10 series openers, they’re mired in slumps of 1-5 on Wednesday, 0-6 against right-handed starters and 1-4 versus teams from the A.L. Central.
The Royals ran their winning steak to four in a row with Tuesday’s come-from-behind 8-7 home win over the White Sox. Kansas City has also taken four straight and five of six at Kauffman Stadium and is on additional hot streaks of 9-1 against A.L. West foes, 5-1 on Wednesday and 16-7 versus right-handed starters. On the downside, of the Royals’ 11 losses this season, five have come in games Ponson has started.
Kansas City went 7-2 against Seattle last season, including 6-1 at Kauffman Stadium as the home team won seven of the final eight matchups.
Silva gave up six runs in 3 2/3 innings Friday against Oakland, but the Mariners eked out an 8-7 victory. Going back to last season, Silva has just one quality start in his last 13 trips to the mound, and he’s 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA in two road starts this season. With Silva pitching, the Mariners are on slides of 7-17 overall, 4-10 on the road, 0-5 against teams with a winning record and 0-5 against the A.L. Central, but they have prevailed in his last two outings (one home, one road).
Ponson was even worse than Silva in his last outing, getting rocked for seven runs in 4 1/3 innings of Friday’s 7-5 loss at Minnesota. That came on the heels of a solid eight-inning effort at home in which he yielded three runs to the Tigers, but still lost 3-2. In fact, Ponson has fared decently in three starts at Kauffman Stadium (0-2, 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP), yet K.C. lost all three contests.
Silva has solid career numbers against the Royals (5-4, 4.10 ERA in 14 starts overall; 3-2, 3.61 ERA in eight starts in K.C.), while Ponson is 4-4 with a 4.53 ERA in 14 outings (13 starts) against the Mariners.
For Seattle, the “over” is on streaks of 6-1 overall, 5-0 on Wednesday, 8-3-1 on the road against right-handed starters, 5-1 overall when Silva pitches and 6-1 when Silva works on the road. Also, the over is 7-1 in Kansas City’s last eight overall and 4-1 in Ponson’s last five starts against the Mariners, with those games coming when Ponson was with the Yankees, Rangers and Orioles.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS CITY and OVER
Tampa Bay (12-16) at N.Y. Yankees (13-13)
The Rays make their initial visit to new Yankee Stadium as they start a four-game set in the Bronx with Andy Sonnanstine (1-3, 6.75) scheduled to open the series opposite New York’s A.J. Burnett (2-0, 5.40).
Tampa hits the road after a 4-2 homestand that concluded with Tuesday’s 6-3 victory over the Orioles. However, the Rays are just 6-9 on the highway this season, having lost four of their last five as a visitor, and they’ve also struggled outside the comforts of a dome, losing 11 of their last 16 on grass. One positive: They’re 13-6 in their last 19 Wednesday contests.
New York is coming off back-to-back home losses to the archrival Red Sox, falling 6-4 on Monday and 7-3 on Tuesday. Still, the Yankees have won 14 of their last 20 at home and they’re on additional positive runs of 4-2 against right-handed starters, 5-1 versus losing teams and 53-20 on Wednesday. However Joe Girardi’s club has now dropped five straight games to A.L. East rivals.
These squads faced off in Florida in the middle of April, with the Yankees taking two of three. Going back to last year, New York is on an 8-3 roll in this rivalry. Finally, Tampa Bay went 21-53 in its last 74 games at old Yankee Stadium (2-6 last season).
Sonnanstine got in the win column for the first time in 2009 his last time out, scattering eight hits and four walks but yielding just two runs in 5 2/3 innings en route to Friday’s 6-2 home win. Prior to that effort, the Rays had lost five straight Sonnanstine outings going back to last year’s World Series. On the downside, Sonnanstine has been a disaster on the road this year, going 0-3 with a 9.20 ERA in three starts.
Sonnanstine has faced the Yankees five times since entering the big leagues in 2007, going 2-1 despite a hefty 5.65 ERA. That includes a no-decision in the Rays’ 4-3 home loss to New York on April 15, with the right-hander giving up just two runs in five innings.
New York is 4-1 with Burnett on the bump in 2009, including a 7-4 victory over the Angels a week ago tonight. In that contest, the veteran right-hander gave up four runs but went seven innings, getting a no-decision. He has a 4.72 ERA after two starts in his new home ballpark, and though he didn’t factor in the decision either time, the Yanks rallied to win both contests.
Burnett is 8-4 with a sensational 2.94 ERA in 17 career starts against Tampa, and he’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last 10 outings against the Rays. That includes a 7-2 victory in Florida on April 14, when Burnett gave up just two runs on three hits and a walk, striking out nine over eight innings.
The Rays carry “under” trends of 4-1 on the road, 7-3 when playing on grass, 5-0 overall with Sonnanstine on the hill and 5-1 with Sonnanstine facing A.L. East foes. Conversely, the over for the Yankees is on streaks of 6-0-1 overall, 5-0-1 at home and 4-1 with Burnett pitching. Finally, the over is 4-1 in the last five Rays-Yankees clashes, but six of the eight meetings in the Bronx last season stayed low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(3) Orlando (5-2 SU, 3-4 ATS) at (2) Boston (4-4 SU, 3-4-1 ATS)
After stealing Game 1 in Boston, the Magic look to go up 2-0 in their best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Celtics when the two square off inside TD Banknorth Garden.
Orlando built an 18-point halftime lead in Game 1 on Monday, pushed it to 28 points in the second half, then held for a 95-90 upset win in Boston, cashing as a 1½-point underdog. Dwight Howard led the way for the Magic, putting in 16 points and controlling the boards with 22 rebounds. Boston got 23 points from Paul Pierce but the backcourt of Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo combined to go 4-for-24 from the field, including 1-of-9 from the three-point line.
Orlando has now won four straight (3-1 ATS) and six of its last eight (4-4 ATS) overall. The Magic have won three straight road playoff games (2-1 ATS) and they are 28-16-1 ATS on the road this season. On the opposite side, Boston has alternated wins and losses in its last six games (3-2-1 ATS) and have already lost twice in front of the home fans in the playoffs, once more than all of last year’s postseason run.
The Magic have now won three straight over the Celtics, including the last two in Boston. Orlando won the final two games of the regular season, winning 86-79 in Beantown on March 8 as a 2 ½-point ‘dog and then edged the Celtics 84-82 at home on March 25 but came up short as a 3 ½-point favorite. The home team has won eight of the last 11 in this series and covered the number in 21 of the last 31, but Boston has gotten the cash in six of the last 10 overall and 12 of the last 16 in Boston.
Orlando is on ATS slides of 3-10 against teams from the Atlantic division, 4-9 overall and 2-5 on the road, but the Magic are on ATS runs of 37-16-3 as underdogs, 10-4 as road ‘dogs and 44-17-1 as a ‘dog of up to 4 ½ points. The Celtics are 0-6 ATS in their last six conference semifinal games and 6-15 ATS in their last 21 home games, but they are on positive ATS streaks of 8-4 after getting one day off and 5-2 against Southeast Division teams.
Game 1 of this series stayed under the 188 ½-point total and in this rivalry, the under is 5-1 in the last six overall, but the over has been the play in seven of the last 11 in Boston.
It’s been all unders for the Magic lately, including 9-3 on the road, 8-3 after a spread-cover, 5-1 overall, 5-1 as ‘dogs and 6-1 on the road against teams with winning home marks. Boston is on a plethora of “over” streaks, including 21-9 overall, 36-17-1 at home, 36-18 against the Eastern Conference, 17-5 as a favorite, 5-1 after getting a day off and 11-1 following a loss.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(5) Houston (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) at (1) L.A. Lakers (4-2 SU, 2-4 ATS)
Having stunned the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, the Rockets now try to make it two in a row in Game 2 of their best-of-7 series inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The Rockets led virtually wire-to-wire on Monday, beating the Lakers 100-92 as an 8½-point underdog to steal home-court advantage away from Los Angeles. Yao Ming delivered 28 points and 10 rebounds and led Houston to a 47.9 percent shooting night. Ron Artest had 21 points and seven assists and speedy point guard Aaron Brooks had 19 points. The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant got 32 points, but needed 31 shots to get there, while no other teammate had more than 14 points.
Houston has won four of its last five overall and has stolen the opening game of its playoff series for the second straight time. The Rockets, winners of 10 of their last 13 overall (8-5 ATS), also went to Portland and got a 108-81 Game 1 victory as five-point pups in their opening-round series.
Despite Monday’s setback, the Lakers needed just five games (2-3 ATS) to beat the Jazz in the opening round and have won 11 of their last 14 overall (7-7 ATS).
Monday’s win was Houston’s first over Phil Jackson’s Lakers this season. Los Angeles swept the four-game regular-season series (bioth SU and ATS), including two easy wins inside Staples Center. Los Angeles is still 7-4 ATS in the last 11 meetings overall and 5-2 ATS in the last seven played in Hollywood. Finally, the chalk is 4-2 in the last six series clashes.
Houston is on ATS slides of 4-9 against the Pacific Division, 11-24-1 after a spread-cover and 3-6 on the road against teams with winning home records, but the Rockets are 7-2 ATS in their last nine as a playoff ‘dog of five to 10 ½-points. The Lakers are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 as a playoff chalk, but otherwise they are on ATS streaks of 4-2 against Southwest Division squads, 4-2 after a non-cover and 7-3-1 in conference semifinal action.
The under has been the play in this series in the last three overall, including Monday’s total just getting in under the posted number, and five of the last eight.
The Rockets have topped the total in four of their last six against Pacific Division teams and seven of their last 11 against teams with winning records, but they are on “under” runs of 5-0 overall, 8-3 as a road ‘dog and 10-4 on the highway against teams with winning records. The Lakers have gone over the posted mark in four of six conference semifinal games but they are on “under” streaks of 12-3 at home against teams with a losing road record, 21-9 overall, 10-4 as a home chalk and 6-1 against Southwest Division teams.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Seattle (15-12) at Kansas City (16-11)
Two of the biggest surprises in baseball begin a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium, with the Mariners’ Carlos Silva (1-2, 7.36 ERA) set to oppose the Royals’ Sidney Ponson (0-4, 7.16) in a matchup of struggling journeyman right-handers.
Seattle has cooled off a bit after a hot start to the season, losing six of its last nine games, including getting swept in a two-game home series against the Rangers to start this week, falling 6-5 on Monday and 7-2 in 10 innings on Tuesday. Additionally, while the M’s have won seven of their last 10 on the road and eight of their last 10 series openers, they’re mired in slumps of 1-5 on Wednesday, 0-6 against right-handed starters and 1-4 versus teams from the A.L. Central.
The Royals ran their winning steak to four in a row with Tuesday’s come-from-behind 8-7 home win over the White Sox. Kansas City has also taken four straight and five of six at Kauffman Stadium and is on additional hot streaks of 9-1 against A.L. West foes, 5-1 on Wednesday and 16-7 versus right-handed starters. On the downside, of the Royals’ 11 losses this season, five have come in games Ponson has started.
Kansas City went 7-2 against Seattle last season, including 6-1 at Kauffman Stadium as the home team won seven of the final eight matchups.
Silva gave up six runs in 3 2/3 innings Friday against Oakland, but the Mariners eked out an 8-7 victory. Going back to last season, Silva has just one quality start in his last 13 trips to the mound, and he’s 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA in two road starts this season. With Silva pitching, the Mariners are on slides of 7-17 overall, 4-10 on the road, 0-5 against teams with a winning record and 0-5 against the A.L. Central, but they have prevailed in his last two outings (one home, one road).
Ponson was even worse than Silva in his last outing, getting rocked for seven runs in 4 1/3 innings of Friday’s 7-5 loss at Minnesota. That came on the heels of a solid eight-inning effort at home in which he yielded three runs to the Tigers, but still lost 3-2. In fact, Ponson has fared decently in three starts at Kauffman Stadium (0-2, 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP), yet K.C. lost all three contests.
Silva has solid career numbers against the Royals (5-4, 4.10 ERA in 14 starts overall; 3-2, 3.61 ERA in eight starts in K.C.), while Ponson is 4-4 with a 4.53 ERA in 14 outings (13 starts) against the Mariners.
For Seattle, the “over” is on streaks of 6-1 overall, 5-0 on Wednesday, 8-3-1 on the road against right-handed starters, 5-1 overall when Silva pitches and 6-1 when Silva works on the road. Also, the over is 7-1 in Kansas City’s last eight overall and 4-1 in Ponson’s last five starts against the Mariners, with those games coming when Ponson was with the Yankees, Rangers and Orioles.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS CITY and OVER
Tampa Bay (12-16) at N.Y. Yankees (13-13)
The Rays make their initial visit to new Yankee Stadium as they start a four-game set in the Bronx with Andy Sonnanstine (1-3, 6.75) scheduled to open the series opposite New York’s A.J. Burnett (2-0, 5.40).
Tampa hits the road after a 4-2 homestand that concluded with Tuesday’s 6-3 victory over the Orioles. However, the Rays are just 6-9 on the highway this season, having lost four of their last five as a visitor, and they’ve also struggled outside the comforts of a dome, losing 11 of their last 16 on grass. One positive: They’re 13-6 in their last 19 Wednesday contests.
New York is coming off back-to-back home losses to the archrival Red Sox, falling 6-4 on Monday and 7-3 on Tuesday. Still, the Yankees have won 14 of their last 20 at home and they’re on additional positive runs of 4-2 against right-handed starters, 5-1 versus losing teams and 53-20 on Wednesday. However Joe Girardi’s club has now dropped five straight games to A.L. East rivals.
These squads faced off in Florida in the middle of April, with the Yankees taking two of three. Going back to last year, New York is on an 8-3 roll in this rivalry. Finally, Tampa Bay went 21-53 in its last 74 games at old Yankee Stadium (2-6 last season).
Sonnanstine got in the win column for the first time in 2009 his last time out, scattering eight hits and four walks but yielding just two runs in 5 2/3 innings en route to Friday’s 6-2 home win. Prior to that effort, the Rays had lost five straight Sonnanstine outings going back to last year’s World Series. On the downside, Sonnanstine has been a disaster on the road this year, going 0-3 with a 9.20 ERA in three starts.
Sonnanstine has faced the Yankees five times since entering the big leagues in 2007, going 2-1 despite a hefty 5.65 ERA. That includes a no-decision in the Rays’ 4-3 home loss to New York on April 15, with the right-hander giving up just two runs in five innings.
New York is 4-1 with Burnett on the bump in 2009, including a 7-4 victory over the Angels a week ago tonight. In that contest, the veteran right-hander gave up four runs but went seven innings, getting a no-decision. He has a 4.72 ERA after two starts in his new home ballpark, and though he didn’t factor in the decision either time, the Yanks rallied to win both contests.
Burnett is 8-4 with a sensational 2.94 ERA in 17 career starts against Tampa, and he’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last 10 outings against the Rays. That includes a 7-2 victory in Florida on April 14, when Burnett gave up just two runs on three hits and a walk, striking out nine over eight innings.
The Rays carry “under” trends of 4-1 on the road, 7-3 when playing on grass, 5-0 overall with Sonnanstine on the hill and 5-1 with Sonnanstine facing A.L. East foes. Conversely, the over for the Yankees is on streaks of 6-0-1 overall, 5-0-1 at home and 4-1 with Burnett pitching. Finally, the over is 4-1 in the last five Rays-Yankees clashes, but six of the eight meetings in the Bronx last season stayed low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES
Matt Rivers
150,000* NBA EZ MONEY LOCK Plus Bonus Locks
Your winners here are on:
1. 150,000♦ Rockets
2. 50,000♦ Celtics
3. 50,000♦ Cubs
4. 50,000♦ Rays
1. Seriously, are you kidding me with this number!?!?!? I can get around 10 points with Houston!?!?!?
Sure the Lakers should man up and win this game but the Rockets are not exactly chopped liver right now and for anybody to beat Yao, Artest, Scola, Brooks, Battier and this team by double digits is just asking way too much and flat out silly!
The Lakers are awesome, I am not doubting that but they are not unbelievable and unbeatable as we just saw. Kobe is as good as they come and guys like Odom and Gasol certainly have All-Star potential but let's face it, Andrew Bynum has been a total dude since returning from injury, Derek Fisher is mediocre at the very best and should once again get outplayed by the up and coming Aaron Brooks and all in all the Lakers are much too heavy of a chalk here.
Houston just looked great against the favored Blazers in that first series and continued with the phenomenal defense and overall high level of play in the opener of this series. To now ask them to pretty much crap in their pants and lay an egg just should not happen. Yao is a total mismatch who should control the paint and Brooks is easily the most talented and the best point guard on the floor.
Just look at the number of 11 1/2 in the Atlanta/Cleveland series. Now that game certainly had the potential for a 105-79 game as the Cavs at home are far superior to the Hawks. But to make this a similar number here against what is rapidly becoming an elite Rockets team is asinine, period!
This thing should come down to the last minute!
2. I do not see Dwight Howard and the Magic going up 2-0 in the series and will take my chances that the Defending Champion Celtics can cover this fairly cheap number.
The C's obviously were not ready to play in the first game after the emotionally draining series against the Bulls. Paul Pierce and the green were horrific for the first half plus a little. Doc Rivers' group did fight back though from down 28 to 3 and I do believe that comeback and fight will carry over today.
Pierce, Allen and Rondo are very very tough and without Courtney Lee again for the visitors and after the struggles late in the opener I do not see the Orlando guards being able to compete. In terms of the paint that will be controlled by Howard and the visitors but that will not offset the discrepancy in guard play.
Boston has to win this game and after the letdown on Monday I see them coming all guns ablazing in a series evening 8-10 point victory.
3. Throw out everything else here except for this:
Rich Harden against Mike Hampton!
Yes Harden was awful in that last start and yes Hampton has been better this season than most believed he would be but the bottom line is that this is a total mismatch on the mound and in the end will prove to be too much for the mediocre at the very best Astros to overcome.
I don't mind the 'Stros when getting a chunk of change in some scenarios but today they are outclassed. Chicago has the better everything in this game and I mean everything. Even if Aramis Ramirez is still out the lineup for the Cubbies today's visitors are still superior.
Houston does have an upside with guys like Berkman, Lee, Tejada and Pence but collectively this team is very very average unlike Lou's Cubs who are a 90 win type of a club, if not better.
I do not love eating chalk like this on the road but Hampton is still on his last legs and Harden still has the upside of a dominating stud. Laying a little but every now and then is not the end of the world and that is what I feel right here in this burial!
4. I have been anti these Yankees for awhile now and nothing changes today. AJ Burnett can certainly hurl a gem in any game but at this price I'm fine with the underachieving but still very talented Rays.
Joe Girardi's club is just not that good at all right now without Arod. The lineup has been fairly awful as this team is just getting older by the day. Jeter and Damon are average, Teixeira does scare me but has been awful and others like Pena, Molina, Gardner, etc. are not typical Yankees at all as they are pretty bad hitters.
Andy Sonnanstine, like the Rays as a whole, have not been as good this season as that breakout campaign he had last season but the righty is still more than capable of holding his own and with Crawford, Longoria, Pena and a still semi loaded Tampa Bay team how can you not grab this price!?!?!?
Things have not started great at all for Joe Maddon's group but there is still a ton of athleticism and ability on this Tampa roster and to be such a big dog against the very mediocre Yankees is a total no-brainer!
150,000* NBA EZ MONEY LOCK Plus Bonus Locks
Your winners here are on:
1. 150,000♦ Rockets
2. 50,000♦ Celtics
3. 50,000♦ Cubs
4. 50,000♦ Rays
1. Seriously, are you kidding me with this number!?!?!? I can get around 10 points with Houston!?!?!?
Sure the Lakers should man up and win this game but the Rockets are not exactly chopped liver right now and for anybody to beat Yao, Artest, Scola, Brooks, Battier and this team by double digits is just asking way too much and flat out silly!
The Lakers are awesome, I am not doubting that but they are not unbelievable and unbeatable as we just saw. Kobe is as good as they come and guys like Odom and Gasol certainly have All-Star potential but let's face it, Andrew Bynum has been a total dude since returning from injury, Derek Fisher is mediocre at the very best and should once again get outplayed by the up and coming Aaron Brooks and all in all the Lakers are much too heavy of a chalk here.
Houston just looked great against the favored Blazers in that first series and continued with the phenomenal defense and overall high level of play in the opener of this series. To now ask them to pretty much crap in their pants and lay an egg just should not happen. Yao is a total mismatch who should control the paint and Brooks is easily the most talented and the best point guard on the floor.
Just look at the number of 11 1/2 in the Atlanta/Cleveland series. Now that game certainly had the potential for a 105-79 game as the Cavs at home are far superior to the Hawks. But to make this a similar number here against what is rapidly becoming an elite Rockets team is asinine, period!
This thing should come down to the last minute!
2. I do not see Dwight Howard and the Magic going up 2-0 in the series and will take my chances that the Defending Champion Celtics can cover this fairly cheap number.
The C's obviously were not ready to play in the first game after the emotionally draining series against the Bulls. Paul Pierce and the green were horrific for the first half plus a little. Doc Rivers' group did fight back though from down 28 to 3 and I do believe that comeback and fight will carry over today.
Pierce, Allen and Rondo are very very tough and without Courtney Lee again for the visitors and after the struggles late in the opener I do not see the Orlando guards being able to compete. In terms of the paint that will be controlled by Howard and the visitors but that will not offset the discrepancy in guard play.
Boston has to win this game and after the letdown on Monday I see them coming all guns ablazing in a series evening 8-10 point victory.
3. Throw out everything else here except for this:
Rich Harden against Mike Hampton!
Yes Harden was awful in that last start and yes Hampton has been better this season than most believed he would be but the bottom line is that this is a total mismatch on the mound and in the end will prove to be too much for the mediocre at the very best Astros to overcome.
I don't mind the 'Stros when getting a chunk of change in some scenarios but today they are outclassed. Chicago has the better everything in this game and I mean everything. Even if Aramis Ramirez is still out the lineup for the Cubbies today's visitors are still superior.
Houston does have an upside with guys like Berkman, Lee, Tejada and Pence but collectively this team is very very average unlike Lou's Cubs who are a 90 win type of a club, if not better.
I do not love eating chalk like this on the road but Hampton is still on his last legs and Harden still has the upside of a dominating stud. Laying a little but every now and then is not the end of the world and that is what I feel right here in this burial!
4. I have been anti these Yankees for awhile now and nothing changes today. AJ Burnett can certainly hurl a gem in any game but at this price I'm fine with the underachieving but still very talented Rays.
Joe Girardi's club is just not that good at all right now without Arod. The lineup has been fairly awful as this team is just getting older by the day. Jeter and Damon are average, Teixeira does scare me but has been awful and others like Pena, Molina, Gardner, etc. are not typical Yankees at all as they are pretty bad hitters.
Andy Sonnanstine, like the Rays as a whole, have not been as good this season as that breakout campaign he had last season but the righty is still more than capable of holding his own and with Crawford, Longoria, Pena and a still semi loaded Tampa Bay team how can you not grab this price!?!?!?
Things have not started great at all for Joe Maddon's group but there is still a ton of athleticism and ability on this Tampa roster and to be such a big dog against the very mediocre Yankees is a total no-brainer!
Jimmy Boyd
MLB Baseball Premium Picks
MLB | May 06 '09 (8:10p)
Detroit Tigers vs Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox
-110 at bodog
3* MLB Mound Mismatch of the Week on White Sox -110
The Sox return home after a 5-game road trip and 4 straight losses, and you can bet they'll be out for blood tonight. They are certainly in good hands with Buehrle on the hill, who is 4-0 with a 3.30 ERA, which drops to 2.60 in home starts. The Tigers are 1-7 in their last 8 meetings in Chicago, a pathetic 7-23 in their last 30 during game 1 of a series, and 0-4 in Galarraga's last 4 starts as a road underdog. The White Sox are 7-2 in Buehrle's last 9 home starts vs. Tigers, 43-17 in Buehrle's last 60 home starts, and 5-0 in Buehrle's last 5 starts. Take the Sox tonight.
MLB | May 06 '09 (10:10p)
Washington Nationals vs Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers
-1½+105 at sia
4* Major MLB Run Line of the Month on LA Dodgers -1.5 +105
I'll back the Dodgers on the run line tonight to get more bang for the buck. The Dodgers have won 12 straight at home to tie the modern day mark for most consecutive home wins to start a season and I don't see the worst team in the NL standing in their way of breaking the record tonight. Talented young southpaw Clayton Kershaw is yet to pick up his first win of the season so I expect a very strong outing from him tonight. While Kershaw has struggled on the road, he has been sensational in 2 home starts, posting a 0.64 ERA. Plays on home favorites with a money line of -175 to -250 - good NL offensive team (>=5.0 runs/game) against a team with a below average bullpen (ERA>=4.50), after allowing 1 run or less, are 44-8 since 1997. The Dodgers have won 6 straight at home against the Nats over the last 3 seasons. Bet the Dodgers.
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NBA Basketball Premium Picks
-= TOP PLAY =-
NBA | May 06 '09 (10:35p)
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers
-9½-110 at betus
5* Game 2 BEST BET (TNT) on Lakers -9.5
The Lakers cannot afford to fall behind 0-2 in this series so I expect a very motivated effort tonight on their home floor. Expect the Lakers to do a better job of getting out in transition where they can exploit Yao Ming's foot speed and they take advantage of their superior athletes. Plays on all home teams off a home loss, extremely well rested team - playing 3 or less games in 10 days, are 44-16 ATS the last 5 seasons so right away we see the profitability of this bounce back situation. Plus, the Lakers are 17-5 ATS when playing only their 2nd game in 7 days over the last 2 seasons, winning in these spots by 12.9 points on average. The Rockets played a perfect Game 1, but I expect Coach Jackson and the Lakers to make the necessary adjustments to send a message to the Rockets tonight. On top of that, the Lakers here the experts talking about the Nuggets being the team to beat in the West right now, and I expect that will light a fire under their butts as well. I'll lay the number.
MLB Baseball Premium Picks
MLB | May 06 '09 (8:10p)
Detroit Tigers vs Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox
-110 at bodog
3* MLB Mound Mismatch of the Week on White Sox -110
The Sox return home after a 5-game road trip and 4 straight losses, and you can bet they'll be out for blood tonight. They are certainly in good hands with Buehrle on the hill, who is 4-0 with a 3.30 ERA, which drops to 2.60 in home starts. The Tigers are 1-7 in their last 8 meetings in Chicago, a pathetic 7-23 in their last 30 during game 1 of a series, and 0-4 in Galarraga's last 4 starts as a road underdog. The White Sox are 7-2 in Buehrle's last 9 home starts vs. Tigers, 43-17 in Buehrle's last 60 home starts, and 5-0 in Buehrle's last 5 starts. Take the Sox tonight.
MLB | May 06 '09 (10:10p)
Washington Nationals vs Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers
-1½+105 at sia
4* Major MLB Run Line of the Month on LA Dodgers -1.5 +105
I'll back the Dodgers on the run line tonight to get more bang for the buck. The Dodgers have won 12 straight at home to tie the modern day mark for most consecutive home wins to start a season and I don't see the worst team in the NL standing in their way of breaking the record tonight. Talented young southpaw Clayton Kershaw is yet to pick up his first win of the season so I expect a very strong outing from him tonight. While Kershaw has struggled on the road, he has been sensational in 2 home starts, posting a 0.64 ERA. Plays on home favorites with a money line of -175 to -250 - good NL offensive team (>=5.0 runs/game) against a team with a below average bullpen (ERA>=4.50), after allowing 1 run or less, are 44-8 since 1997. The Dodgers have won 6 straight at home against the Nats over the last 3 seasons. Bet the Dodgers.
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NBA Basketball Premium Picks
-= TOP PLAY =-
NBA | May 06 '09 (10:35p)
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers
-9½-110 at betus
5* Game 2 BEST BET (TNT) on Lakers -9.5
The Lakers cannot afford to fall behind 0-2 in this series so I expect a very motivated effort tonight on their home floor. Expect the Lakers to do a better job of getting out in transition where they can exploit Yao Ming's foot speed and they take advantage of their superior athletes. Plays on all home teams off a home loss, extremely well rested team - playing 3 or less games in 10 days, are 44-16 ATS the last 5 seasons so right away we see the profitability of this bounce back situation. Plus, the Lakers are 17-5 ATS when playing only their 2nd game in 7 days over the last 2 seasons, winning in these spots by 12.9 points on average. The Rockets played a perfect Game 1, but I expect Coach Jackson and the Lakers to make the necessary adjustments to send a message to the Rockets tonight. On top of that, the Lakers here the experts talking about the Nuggets being the team to beat in the West right now, and I expect that will light a fire under their butts as well. I'll lay the number.
HalfBets.com
Last night SSG went 3-1 in premium plays and 1-1-1 in FREE picks. You can all get the FREE PICKS on your own at the Halfbets. Here are the SSG plays for tonight.
Milwaukee vs Cincinnati - 7:10PM
PICK: Cincinnati ML -110 (5*)
Pittsburgh vs St. Louis - 8:15pm
PICK: St. Louis ML -138 (7*)
PICK: Over 9 (5*)
Washington vs LA Dodgers - 10:10pm
PICK: Over 9.5 (5*)
Last night SSG went 3-1 in premium plays and 1-1-1 in FREE picks. You can all get the FREE PICKS on your own at the Halfbets. Here are the SSG plays for tonight.
Milwaukee vs Cincinnati - 7:10PM
PICK: Cincinnati ML -110 (5*)
Pittsburgh vs St. Louis - 8:15pm
PICK: St. Louis ML -138 (7*)
PICK: Over 9 (5*)
Washington vs LA Dodgers - 10:10pm
PICK: Over 9.5 (5*)
