Sean Higgs
Bonus Play White Sox -114
10* MLB MoneyBomb WINNER on the Astros in a flat-out beating of the Cubbies. 1-1 on the day as we drop a 4* on the Rangers. NHL Playoffs start today, NBA playoffs this weekend. MLB everyday.. Lots of CASH to be made. Get on board today!! On to your WINSday FREE MONEY and we are backing Danks and the WHITE SOX. Danks a tough lefty, 4-1 in his career with a 2.48 ERA vs the A's. Look for a strong 8 innings this afternoon. Danks wins 17 this year! FREE MONEY on the WHITE SOX $ Higgs
4* KC Royals +163
Taking the Royals here. Had KC as the Bonus Play yesterday, and we lost in teh bottom of the 10th. Davies isn't exactly setting the world on fire. KC is 5-6 vs the Twins in his starts. Twins 4-4 in Liriano's starts vs KC. Liriano isn't exactly mowing them down either. Liriano has given up 8 earned in 9.1 innings with 8 Ks and 8 BBs. Minny hitting .217 vs righties. KC at least bringing their bats to the ballpark hitting .279 vs lefties. This Twins team just hasn't responded well to their new ballpark offense wise. 4* KC ROYALS
4* Phillies RL -1.5/-108
Taking Doc here. Never going to lay the real number with this guy. This is as much a fade of Lannan as it is backing Doc. Lannan 0-7 in his last 7 home starts and 1-11 last 12 starts overall vs the Phillies. For his career, Lannan 0-8 with 6.09 ERA vs Philly. Doc 8-1 with a blistering 1.96 ERA lifetime vs the Nats. 4* PHILLIES RL
4* UNDER Heat/Raptors 200.5/-107
Going UNDER here. This is simply based on the fact that Wade, Bosh and LeBron are all out. Add in Miller and Dampier and Haslem who have injuries and this is a depleted Miami team. For the Raptors leading scoring Bargnani is out and is 3rd scoring Barbosa. Plus Weems, Calderone and Johnson. This team will be suiting up people who paid for 2nd row tickets. Miami just wants to get to the playoffs. They may score 70 tonight. Raptors tossed in the towel sometime around December 5th. Since then they have won 11 games. And now they are favored. Ah, the last day of the regular season.. 4* UNDER Heat/Raptors
4* Sacramento Kings +4.5/-107
Taking the Kings here. Small play. This could be the last game in the arena. Would think the players would want to go out with a big win over Hollywood here. Could even be a small ML play . 4* SACRAMENTO KINGS
4* Vancouver GL -1.5/180
Taking the Canucks here. I do like dogs, especially in the NHL playoffs. But the play here is on Vancouver. Canucks arguably the best team during the season. Vancouver can get some sweet revenge over the team that knocked them out of the playoffs the last 2 years. On to the Blackhawks. The defending champs have looked like anything but. They were terrible during the year. They needed a Dallas loss just to make it to the playoffs. They couldn't even get in on their own. That is all I need to see about this club. Canucks, clearly better. Huge revenge. I think they lay it on Chicago here in Game 1 to the tune of a 4-1 win. Lay the goals. 4* VANCOUVER GL +180
Bonus Play White Sox -114
10* MLB MoneyBomb WINNER on the Astros in a flat-out beating of the Cubbies. 1-1 on the day as we drop a 4* on the Rangers. NHL Playoffs start today, NBA playoffs this weekend. MLB everyday.. Lots of CASH to be made. Get on board today!! On to your WINSday FREE MONEY and we are backing Danks and the WHITE SOX. Danks a tough lefty, 4-1 in his career with a 2.48 ERA vs the A's. Look for a strong 8 innings this afternoon. Danks wins 17 this year! FREE MONEY on the WHITE SOX $ Higgs
4* KC Royals +163
Taking the Royals here. Had KC as the Bonus Play yesterday, and we lost in teh bottom of the 10th. Davies isn't exactly setting the world on fire. KC is 5-6 vs the Twins in his starts. Twins 4-4 in Liriano's starts vs KC. Liriano isn't exactly mowing them down either. Liriano has given up 8 earned in 9.1 innings with 8 Ks and 8 BBs. Minny hitting .217 vs righties. KC at least bringing their bats to the ballpark hitting .279 vs lefties. This Twins team just hasn't responded well to their new ballpark offense wise. 4* KC ROYALS
4* Phillies RL -1.5/-108
Taking Doc here. Never going to lay the real number with this guy. This is as much a fade of Lannan as it is backing Doc. Lannan 0-7 in his last 7 home starts and 1-11 last 12 starts overall vs the Phillies. For his career, Lannan 0-8 with 6.09 ERA vs Philly. Doc 8-1 with a blistering 1.96 ERA lifetime vs the Nats. 4* PHILLIES RL
4* UNDER Heat/Raptors 200.5/-107
Going UNDER here. This is simply based on the fact that Wade, Bosh and LeBron are all out. Add in Miller and Dampier and Haslem who have injuries and this is a depleted Miami team. For the Raptors leading scoring Bargnani is out and is 3rd scoring Barbosa. Plus Weems, Calderone and Johnson. This team will be suiting up people who paid for 2nd row tickets. Miami just wants to get to the playoffs. They may score 70 tonight. Raptors tossed in the towel sometime around December 5th. Since then they have won 11 games. And now they are favored. Ah, the last day of the regular season.. 4* UNDER Heat/Raptors
4* Sacramento Kings +4.5/-107
Taking the Kings here. Small play. This could be the last game in the arena. Would think the players would want to go out with a big win over Hollywood here. Could even be a small ML play . 4* SACRAMENTO KINGS
4* Vancouver GL -1.5/180
Taking the Canucks here. I do like dogs, especially in the NHL playoffs. But the play here is on Vancouver. Canucks arguably the best team during the season. Vancouver can get some sweet revenge over the team that knocked them out of the playoffs the last 2 years. On to the Blackhawks. The defending champs have looked like anything but. They were terrible during the year. They needed a Dallas loss just to make it to the playoffs. They couldn't even get in on their own. That is all I need to see about this club. Canucks, clearly better. Huge revenge. I think they lay it on Chicago here in Game 1 to the tune of a 4-1 win. Lay the goals. 4* VANCOUVER GL +180
Bruce Marshall
Brewers at Pirates
Pick: Brewers -1.5
The Brewers have won 5 of their last 6 and starter Shaun Marcum was sharp in his last outing vs. the Braves. Milwaukee's offense has also perked up, and we still aren't ready to jump on the Pittsburgh bandwagon, as we suspect the early encouraging signs of the Bucs staff are beginning to fade, with Kevin Correia unlikely to replicate his first two solid starts. Pittsburgh's offense had trouble keeping pace with the Rockies earlier in this homestand at PNC Park, and note that Milwaukee won 13 of 18 vs. the Pirates last season. Play Brewers on Run Line
Brewers at Pirates
Pick: Brewers -1.5
The Brewers have won 5 of their last 6 and starter Shaun Marcum was sharp in his last outing vs. the Braves. Milwaukee's offense has also perked up, and we still aren't ready to jump on the Pittsburgh bandwagon, as we suspect the early encouraging signs of the Bucs staff are beginning to fade, with Kevin Correia unlikely to replicate his first two solid starts. Pittsburgh's offense had trouble keeping pace with the Rockies earlier in this homestand at PNC Park, and note that Milwaukee won 13 of 18 vs. the Pirates last season. Play Brewers on Run Line
Gold Sheet
whopping 110 ppg and 52.3% FG shooting in its recent slump. Perhaps a match
(203); 09-ORL -12' 106-98 (208), IND +11 97-90 (209), ORL -11' 109-98 (210),
New York 96 - BOSTON 95—
Plenty of potential sub-plots to consider in
this regular-season finale, not the least of which is that by the time this one tips
off, these two already could be locked into a first-round playoff matchup against
one another. The Celtics also might still have a shot at the second playoff seed
in the East, but if they don’t, it would be no surprise if Doc Rivers uses his
starters sparingly, especially Kevin Garnett, who was expected to be given
some rest this week regardless. Rivers already knows his team can beat the
Knicks, who, despite having covered two of three vs. Boston this season, have
still lost each one of those games outright, including a 96-86 decision in the
most-recent confrontation March 21 at MSG, when the Celtics erased a 14-point
halftime deficit following an impassioned challenge from Rivers at intermission.
Boston allowed only 35 points in the 2nd half that night vs. Carmelo & Co. in a
display of how defense is supposed to be played. But without similar motivation
in this one, and if Amar’e Stoudemire is in the NY lineup and K-G is out for the
C’s, a decent case can be made for the visitors, especially considering Boston’s
29-49 TD Garden chalk mark over the last two regular seasons. 10-BOS -9' 105-
101 (199), Bos -4 118-116 (205), Bos -2 96-86 (198); 09-Bos -10 107-105
(OT-196), BOS -9' 110-106 (197), BOS -9 109-97 (209), NY +8 104-101 (208)
this regular-season finale, not the least of which is that by the time this one tips
off, these two already could be locked into a first-round playoff matchup against
one another. The Celtics also might still have a shot at the second playoff seed
in the East, but if they don’t, it would be no surprise if Doc Rivers uses his
starters sparingly, especially Kevin Garnett, who was expected to be given
some rest this week regardless. Rivers already knows his team can beat the
Knicks, who, despite having covered two of three vs. Boston this season, have
still lost each one of those games outright, including a 96-86 decision in the
most-recent confrontation March 21 at MSG, when the Celtics erased a 14-point
halftime deficit following an impassioned challenge from Rivers at intermission.
Boston allowed only 35 points in the 2nd half that night vs. Carmelo & Co. in a
display of how defense is supposed to be played. But without similar motivation
in this one, and if Amar’e Stoudemire is in the NY lineup and K-G is out for the
C’s, a decent case can be made for the visitors, especially considering Boston’s
29-49 TD Garden chalk mark over the last two regular seasons. 10-BOS -9' 105-
101 (199), Bos -4 118-116 (205), Bos -2 96-86 (198); 09-Bos -10 107-105
(OT-196), BOS -9' 110-106 (197), BOS -9 109-97 (209), NY +8 104-101 (208)
Atlanta 106 - CHARLOTTE 99—
Atlanta sure isn’t generating a head of
steam goding into the postseason, losing four in a row (in increasingly-ugly
fashion) prior to Monday night’s game vs. the Heat. “I’m not very confident at
all,” said HC Larry Drew after Saturday’s loss at Washington. And it’s no
wonder, with the Hawks on the short end of a 115-83 scoreline that night. We’ll
see if Drew can summon some sort of defensive effort after Atlanta allowed a
steam goding into the postseason, losing four in a row (in increasingly-ugly
fashion) prior to Monday night’s game vs. the Heat. “I’m not very confident at
all,” said HC Larry Drew after Saturday’s loss at Washington. And it’s no
wonder, with the Hawks on the short end of a 115-83 scoreline that night. We’ll
see if Drew can summon some sort of defensive effort after Atlanta allowed a
whopping 110 ppg and 52.3% FG shooting in its recent slump. Perhaps a match
vs. fading Charlotte will prove to be just what the doctor ordered, as the Bobcats’
six-game losing streak thru April 10 has finished their playoff chances.
Charlotte has been losing its defensive resolve in the last week as well (allowing
112 ppg in last three losses prior to facing Nets on Monday). And coach Paul
Silas in full experimentation mode, with former first-round draft bust Kwame
Brown (who hasn’t looked too bad lately, scoring 16.5 ppg last four thru April 10)
getting a long look, as several Charlotte performers (including Stephen Jackson
and his sore hamstring) have shut things down for the season. 10-ATL -6' 90-
85 (183), Atl +3 103-87 (185), Cha +8 88-86 (187); 09-CHA +2' 103-83 (179),
ATL -7 103-89 (190), ATL -5' 93-92 (OT-191), CHA -5 109-100 (184)
six-game losing streak thru April 10 has finished their playoff chances.
Charlotte has been losing its defensive resolve in the last week as well (allowing
112 ppg in last three losses prior to facing Nets on Monday). And coach Paul
Silas in full experimentation mode, with former first-round draft bust Kwame
Brown (who hasn’t looked too bad lately, scoring 16.5 ppg last four thru April 10)
getting a long look, as several Charlotte performers (including Stephen Jackson
and his sore hamstring) have shut things down for the season. 10-ATL -6' 90-
85 (183), Atl +3 103-87 (185), Cha +8 88-86 (187); 09-CHA +2' 103-83 (179),
ATL -7 103-89 (190), ATL -5' 93-92 (OT-191), CHA -5 109-100 (184)
Miami 115 - TORONTO 93—
Miami might put forth some effort in this one
if a win is required to guarantee the second seed in the East playoff queue;
remember, despite Sunday’s 100-77 romp over Boston, the Heat will lose any
tiebreakers with the Celtics if the teams end up level in the standings after
tonight. There’s an added twist, with Chris Bosh facing his former Toronto
team, which has fallen to pieces in his absence; Bosh has played in two of the
three earlier meetings, scoring 18.5 ppg. Assuming the Heat need a positive
result, it might be hard to make a case for the Raptors, especially with so many
key components (frontliners Andrea Bargnani & Amir Johnson, plus Gs Jose
Calderon & Leandro Barbosa) all hurting and perhaps out of the lineup. But just
in case Erik Spoelstra decides to rest some of his top producers, note that the
hungry Heat bench has been delivering solid efforts lately, with players such as
Mario Chalmers and Joel Anthony stepping up (as they did in Sunday’s rout of
the Celtics). 10-MIA -15 109-100 (201), MIA -11 120-103 (198), Mia -9 103-95
(204); 09-TOR -3 120-113 (199), MIA -6' 115-95 (206), TOR -3 111-103 (205),
MIA -7 97-94 (194)
if a win is required to guarantee the second seed in the East playoff queue;
remember, despite Sunday’s 100-77 romp over Boston, the Heat will lose any
tiebreakers with the Celtics if the teams end up level in the standings after
tonight. There’s an added twist, with Chris Bosh facing his former Toronto
team, which has fallen to pieces in his absence; Bosh has played in two of the
three earlier meetings, scoring 18.5 ppg. Assuming the Heat need a positive
result, it might be hard to make a case for the Raptors, especially with so many
key components (frontliners Andrea Bargnani & Amir Johnson, plus Gs Jose
Calderon & Leandro Barbosa) all hurting and perhaps out of the lineup. But just
in case Erik Spoelstra decides to rest some of his top producers, note that the
hungry Heat bench has been delivering solid efforts lately, with players such as
Mario Chalmers and Joel Anthony stepping up (as they did in Sunday’s rout of
the Celtics). 10-MIA -15 109-100 (201), MIA -11 120-103 (198), Mia -9 103-95
(204); 09-TOR -3 120-113 (199), MIA -6' 115-95 (206), TOR -3 111-103 (205),
MIA -7 97-94 (194)
★★★
Detroit 99 - PHILADELPHIA 96—Philly running low on petrol as the
regular-season concludes, with its slowdown coinciding with the absence of
sparkplug G Lou Williams (13.7 ppg), whose sore hamstring is likely to keep him
out of the lineup into the upcoming playoffs. Sixers’ power outage sans Lou has
been noticeable in recent outings, as Doug Collins’ crew hasn’t hit the century
mark in four straight games thru April 10, its longest such drought since mid-
January. Those four games were all Philly spread losses and “unders” as well,
and Collins is understandably concerned (“Our rotation is a little screwed up
right now,” said the coach. “We’re out of sync.”). If the Sixers can’t improve
upon their No. 7 slot in the East playoff queue, ascendng Detroit (with four
straight wins thru April 10 and perhaps playing with a bit of spark since the sale
of the team has finally been completed to California investor Tom Gores) could
be worth a look. Explosive G Rodney Stuckey (scored 24 on Sunday vs. the
Bobcats) is now out of HC John Kuester’s doghouse, and the Pistons hit a road
season-high 55.6% from the floor in Sunday’s win at Charlotte. With Philly
missing Williams’ electricity and likely not compelled to win this one, a better
case can be made for Detroit as it closes the season with a rush. 10-DET -2
112-109 (OT-193), PHI -11 110-94 (195); 09-DET -1' 88-81 (191), Det +4 90-86
(190), Phi +4' 104-94 (192), Det +4' 124-103 (197)
regular-season concludes, with its slowdown coinciding with the absence of
sparkplug G Lou Williams (13.7 ppg), whose sore hamstring is likely to keep him
out of the lineup into the upcoming playoffs. Sixers’ power outage sans Lou has
been noticeable in recent outings, as Doug Collins’ crew hasn’t hit the century
mark in four straight games thru April 10, its longest such drought since mid-
January. Those four games were all Philly spread losses and “unders” as well,
and Collins is understandably concerned (“Our rotation is a little screwed up
right now,” said the coach. “We’re out of sync.”). If the Sixers can’t improve
upon their No. 7 slot in the East playoff queue, ascendng Detroit (with four
straight wins thru April 10 and perhaps playing with a bit of spark since the sale
of the team has finally been completed to California investor Tom Gores) could
be worth a look. Explosive G Rodney Stuckey (scored 24 on Sunday vs. the
Bobcats) is now out of HC John Kuester’s doghouse, and the Pistons hit a road
season-high 55.6% from the floor in Sunday’s win at Charlotte. With Philly
missing Williams’ electricity and likely not compelled to win this one, a better
case can be made for Detroit as it closes the season with a rush. 10-DET -2
112-109 (OT-193), PHI -11 110-94 (195); 09-DET -1' 88-81 (191), Det +4 90-86
(190), Phi +4' 104-94 (192), Det +4' 124-103 (197)
ORLANDO 149 - Indiana 148—
Not sure how Orlando will be approaching
this one, since the result can’t impact its No. 4 slot in the East playoff queue.
Magic will have Dwight Howard and Quentin Richardson available after recent
suspensions, although Stan Van Gundy might have inadvertently stumbled
upon an answer to his season-long backup questions for Howard, as PF Ryan
Anderson proved very effective in Howard’s role Saturday vs. the Bulls, scoring
28 points. But that output also indicates how Van Gundy continues to search for
the team’s best lineup combinations, which have remained elusive for much of
the season, as spread losses in 14 of last 18 games prior to Monday’s contest
vs. Philly would indicate. The East’s 8th-seeded Pacers are not compelled to
win, either, already locked into a first-round date vs. conference top seed
Chicago. But Indiana has been clicking offensively the past week, tallying a
whopping 119.7 ppg in its last three outings. As long as HC Frank Vogel gives
normal minutes to Danny Granger and the other usual contributors, the Pacers
have enough firepower to hang around. 10-Orl -5 90-86 (196), Orl -5' 111-96
this one, since the result can’t impact its No. 4 slot in the East playoff queue.
Magic will have Dwight Howard and Quentin Richardson available after recent
suspensions, although Stan Van Gundy might have inadvertently stumbled
upon an answer to his season-long backup questions for Howard, as PF Ryan
Anderson proved very effective in Howard’s role Saturday vs. the Bulls, scoring
28 points. But that output also indicates how Van Gundy continues to search for
the team’s best lineup combinations, which have remained elusive for much of
the season, as spread losses in 14 of last 18 games prior to Monday’s contest
vs. Philly would indicate. The East’s 8th-seeded Pacers are not compelled to
win, either, already locked into a first-round date vs. conference top seed
Chicago. But Indiana has been clicking offensively the past week, tallying a
whopping 119.7 ppg in its last three outings. As long as HC Frank Vogel gives
normal minutes to Danny Granger and the other usual contributors, the Pacers
have enough firepower to hang around. 10-Orl -5 90-86 (196), Orl -5' 111-96
(203); 09-ORL -12' 106-98 (208), IND +11 97-90 (209), ORL -11' 109-98 (210),
