Sunday 4/3/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pelicans (28-47) at Nets (21-55)

Date: April 03, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

Out of playoff contention and depleted by injuries, the New Orleans Pelicans have hope for a brighter future. The Brooklyn Nets are still trying to sort out theirs.

The Pelicans' makeshift lineup attempts to build on their latest effort and match the franchise's longest winning streak over the lowly Nets on Sunday.

New Orleans (28-47) has been decimated by injuries with star forward Anthony Davis out for the season due to his knee. The injured list also includes the rest of the Pelicans' top five scorers; Ryan Anderson (groin), Jrue Holiday (eye), Eric Gordon (finger) and Tyreke Evans (knee) while Norris Cole (back), Alonzo Gee (quadriceps), Bryce Dejean-Jones (wrist) and Quincy Pondexter (knee) are also lost for the season.

While the injuries are piling up and New Orleans has already clinched a last-place finish in the Southwest Division, there's hope for improvement in 2016-17 with Davis as the face of the franchise and another lottery pick coming this summer.

Brooklyn hosts the draft, but the Nets (21-55) don't currently have a first-round pick after trading it to Boston three years ago. That pick will at least be in the top five since Brooklyn's record is only ahead of league-worst Philadelphia, Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, have won two of three while dipping into the D-League to fill out their roster. Tim Frazier, James Ennis and Jordan Hamilton combined for 42 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists in Thursday's 101-95 win over Denver, as coach Alvin Gentry extended the franchise record with a 38th different lineup.

Frazier was signed to a 10-day contract on March 16 before being re-signed for the rest of the season, while Hamilton and Ennis are still on 10-day deals.

"It's been really impressive," said forward Luke Babbitt, who had 22 points and 10 boards. "Tim's done a good job, and the two new guys (Hamilton and Ennis) have done a great job just playing hard, knocking down shots and defending. It's not always going to be pretty, but we're going to fight and that means a lot in the NBA."

It could also mean a fifth straight win over the Nets, tying the club record set from 2007-10. However, six of the nine players New Orleans used in a 105-103 win Jan. 30 are out. The only healthy starter from that meeting is Omer Asik, who had six points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.

The center has averaged 11.1 points and 13.6 boards over his last seven meetings with Brooklyn.

The Nets are in the midst of their seventh losing streak of at least four games in length. They fell 105-91 at New York on Friday, shooting 35.6 percent from the floor and 4 for 24 from 3-point range.

"It's a little tough finding a rhythm out there but there's no real good reason," center Brook Lopez said. "We just haven't been playing up to our standards."

That's certainly true for Lopez, who has totaled 21 points and 11 rebounds while playing two of the last three games. He was averaging 25.0 points and 7.3 boards over the previous four games, and he had 33 and 10 at New Orleans in January.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mavericks (38-38) at Timberwolves (25-51)

Date: April 03, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

Back where they expect to be in the playoff race, one might forgive the Dallas Mavericks for overlooking their next opponent given the series history and the matchup that follows.

With a huge game looming against another postseason hopeful, the Mavericks visit the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday seeking a season sweep and seventh straight win in the series.

Dallas and Utah hold matching 38-38 records for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference, while Wednesday opponent Houston sits one game back.

A 2-10 slump threatened to knock the Mavericks out of the tight pack, but a three-game win streak and a 2-5 slump from the Rockets has jumbled the back end of the standings yet again.

Dallas closes the season with four games against current playoff teams - Memphis, the Los Angeles Clippers, Utah and San Antonio - and may be missing some key pieces for the stretch run.

While Deron Williams (sports hernia) missed his fifth straight game Friday and Raymond Felton (groin strain) sat out, J.J. Barea ran the show and poured in 29 points in a 98-89 win at Detroit.

"We are where we need to be right now," Barea said. "We have six games left and we're focused. We're in a good rhythm, so hopefully we can finish strong."

Barea's offensive workload has increased with no timetable for Williams' return and Chandler Parsons (knee surgery) out until the second round of the playoffs at the earliest. Barea has averaged 20.3 points - nearly double his season average of 10.7 - on 52 percent shooting with 5.8 assists the last six games.

He will try to help the banged-up Mavericks to their seventh straight win in this series and a four-game sweep of the Timberwolves (25-51). Dallas has won three in a row in Minnesota and is 14-3 there in the last nine years.

While the Timberwolves are 13-25 at Target Center, the Mavs are 17-21 on the road.

Dirk Nowitzki dropped 29 points in this season's first matchup, but the Mavericks will have to make up for Parsons' production in the last two. He torched the Timberwolves for 59 points on 65.7 percent shooting, including 7 of 13 from long range.

The Mavericks' offensive numbers have taken a hit by failing to reach 100 points the last three games, but it's their defensive stinginess that has led to their surge. Dallas held Denver, New York and the Pistons to fewer than 90 points after allowing an average of 124 while losing four of five games previously.

Minnesota has struggled mightily to score in consecutive losses to the Clippers and Jazz, shooting 39.2 percent in losses of 99-79 on Wednesday and 98-85 on Friday.

Andrew Wiggins scored 24 points against Utah, and Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 17 and 11 rebounds. Coach Sam Mitchell praised the effort of his players, two days after blasting them.

"Our guys played hard, I thought they competed," Mitchell said. "I thought we made some mental mistakes, but we didn't make shots and that team is long, so you are not going to get a lot of second shots."

Zach LaVine was red-hot in mid March, but he has made 1 of 15 shots for three points the last two games combined. Ricky Rubio is 4 of 17 from the floor in that time while averaging only 7.5 points and 5.0 assists.

The Timberwolves couldn't help the Mavericks with a win over the Jazz, but they still have games left against Portland, which holds the West's sixth spot, and the Rockets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hornets (44-31) at Cavaliers (54-22)

Date: April 03, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

The Charlotte Hornets are playoff-bound, and now they will face some tough matchups against the best in the Eastern Conference.

This three-game trip begins against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, with the Hornets still in contention for a division crown.

Charlotte (44-31) clinched Saturday when Chicago lost to Detroit. The Hornets are also in a tight Southeast Division race with Atlanta and Miami.

"It would be nice, especially for me," guard Kemba Walker said. "I've been through a lot in the last couple of years with this team. I think it would be really cool if we could win the division."

Charlotte will face the East's first two division champions on this trip, including Tuesday's game at Toronto. Up first is Cleveland (54-22) and James, whose 469 isolations rank third in the league.

"LeBron is gonna iso a lot and both (DeMar) DeRozan and (Kyle) Lowry are going to iso a lot," coach Steve Clifford said. "I don't know what the percentages would be but when you look into it, in a league where people don't iso a lot anymore, those teams do."

James is averaging 27.3 points in 24 home games against the Hornets, including two contests in the postseason with his career-best 61-point effort two seasons ago.

His 23-1 overall home record versus Charlotte trails only his 12-0 mark versus the Los Angeles Clippers and a 7-0 mark against Cleveland as far as winning percentage.

James was magnificent as he just missed a triple-double with 29 points, a season-high 16 rebounds and nine assists in Friday's 110-108 overtime road victory over the Hawks. He assisted on the Cavaliers' first two baskets of the extra session as they never trailed after regulation.

"We've been together for almost two years now, anytime we get an opportunity to experience a one-possession game or some adversity and you're able to come through it, it's a big moment for our team," said James, who moved past Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson into 11th place on the NBA's scoring list.

Kyrie Irving scored 20 and Kevin Love added 15 for the Cavaliers, who made 12 of 38 3-pointers to extend their streak of double-digit 3s to a franchise-best 14 straight games. Only Golden State had a longer run this season with 16 straight.

Cleveland is 2-1 against Charlotte this season, with James scoring between 23 and 25 in each contest. The team that has won the rebounding battle has prevailed each time, although Love managed his second-lowest total with two in a 114-103 home win Feb. 24 as the Cavaliers held a 47-43 edge.

Tristan Thompson, who grabbed 14 boards Friday, has totaled 22 in the wins over the Hornets. He was held to four as Charlotte enjoyed a 49-28 advantage in its 106-97 victory Feb. 3, prevailing despite playing without an injured Walker.

Charlotte is an East-leading 14-3 since the start of March and enters with a three-game win streak after defeating league-worst Philadelphia 100-85 on Tuesday and 100-91 on Friday. Walker had 27 points and a season-high 11 rebounds in the latest triumph.

Guard Nicolas Batum is averaging 21.0 points and 9.0 assists in his last three games. He is averaging 12.0 points and 5.0 assists versus Cleveland.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Thunder (53-23) at Rockets (37-39)

Date: April 03, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

It may seem oddly masochistic to be pining for a playoff matchup with one of two record-smashing NBA powers, but that's the exact sentiment of the Houston Rockets.

Sitting one game below the postseason cutoff in the Western Conference, the Rockets need a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday before a key matchup with one of the two teams they're battling for a postseason berth.

Houston (37-39) was tied with Dallas and clinging to a playoff spot after winning its third straight March 11, but seven losses in 11 games, coupled with Utah's 9-3 surge in the same span, have dropped the Rockets into ninth place in the West.

They entered the fourth quarter against Chicago on Thursday with a nine-point lead only to be outscored 32-20 en route to a 103-100 loss. Houston shot a paltry 28.6 percent (6 for 21) in the final 12 minutes.

The Rockets have actually shot the ball well in the fourth during the 11-game slump at 49.3 percent, but their defense has been horrid with an average of 28.1 points allowed.

Wednesday's loss was another sign of the club's wild inconsistency. Houston's wins in the last seven games came against Toronto and Cleveland - the top two teams in the East - while they've lost to teams at the cutoff like the Jazz, Bulls and Indiana.

"It's very frustrating, especially in games where we should win," said James Harden, who had only four points in the fourth after netting 18 in the final period of Wednesday's win against the Cavaliers. "We've got to figure it out."

A win against Oklahoma City (53-23) would be a good start ahead of Wednesday's crucial game against the Mavericks, who are tied with Utah in the standings.

The Jazz and Mavs both play Sunday, so a three-way tie is possible once the weekend is over, and there is also the benefit of Utah facing San Antonio on Tuesday before the Rockets head to Dallas. Houston can avoid Golden State in the first round by moving above Dallas and Utah, but seventh place only leads to the Spurs.

Neither matchup is a welcoming proposition, but first things first against the Thunder, who have won two of the first three meetings this season and don't necessarily need to send their star players out on the floor for this contest.

Oklahoma City moved 5 1/2 games ahead in the race for the No. 3 seed in the West with a 119-117 win over the fourth-place Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

Kevin Durant scored 31 points and Steven Adams made a go-ahead tip-in with 26.9 seconds left against a Clippers team that rested Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan. Russell Westbrook added 26 points and 11 assists and the Thunder overcame a 16-of-29 outing from 3-point range by Los Angeles with a 46-26 rebounding edge.

"I give our guys credit for battling and hanging in there through an incredible shooting night by them," coach Billy Donovan said.

Westbrook has been electric against the Rockets this season with a pair of triple-doubles - both in victories - and has posted three in the last four meetings. He's averaging 28.0 points, 13.3 assists and 10.3 rebounds over that span.

Harden has been the horse for Houston with 31.3 points per game against the Thunder this season despite shooting 29.6 percent (8 for 27) from 3-point range.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Wizards (37-39) at Clippers (47-28)

Date: April 03, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

The Washington Wizards' final push for the Eastern Conference's last playoff spot starts in a place they haven't won in over eight years.

Not to mention the opponent is expected to finally get its leading scorer back.

The rested Los Angeles Clippers hope to start jelling for the postseason with the return of Blake Griffin on Sunday at Staples Center while simultaneously derailing the Wizards' last-ditch effort to get there.

Washington (37-39) snapped a two-game losing streak and moved to 2-2 on its five-game trip with Friday's much-needed 106-99 victory at Phoenix. The win came on the heels of Wednesday's disappointing 120-111 loss at Sacramento in which Bradley Beal said his team "gave up."

However, the Wizards are still within striking distance of the East's No. 8 seed, though they need to pass two teams to get there.

A good first step would be snapping a seven-game skid against the Clippers at Staples, where the Wizards haven't beaten them since Feb. 13, 2008. A 108-91 victory in Washington D.C. on Dec. 28 gave Los Angeles 12 wins in the last 14 of this series.

That was just the second game without Griffin for the Clippers (47-28), who are likely locked into the fourth spot in the West.

The five-time All-Star was posting MVP-caliber numbers with 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, but he hasn't played since Christmas because of a torn quadriceps and fractured hand, the second injury from punching a team employee that also cost him a four-game suspension.

The Clippers, who went 30-15 without their star, are expected to plug Griffin back into the starting lineup for their final seven games hoping to build him up to the 34.9 minutes he averaged previously.

"We always say we can get through the regular season and win a lot of games, but our goal is to win a championship," Paul Pierce told the team's official website.

"We know we can't do that without Blake, so it's going to be good to get him back for the last few games of the season so he can get his legs under him, and hopefully we can get a hot streak going into the playoffs."

The Clippers, who are 25-12 at Staples Center, offset a 1-5 stretch with four straight wins and then used Thursday's 119-117 loss at Oklahoma City as a chance to rest Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and J.J. Redick.

With two more back-to-back sets left on the schedule, coach Doc Rivers said he may rest his starters again. In the meantime, he was happy with the 32 points the Clippers got from both his son Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford.

After their demoralizing loss to the Kings, the Wizards rallied from an eight-point third-quarter deficit to pick up a win over the lowly Suns and keep their dim playoff hopes alive.

John Wall had 22 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, and Beal and Markieff Morris each scored 21 to help Washington to just its second win in the last six games.

The Wizards have surrendered an average of 119 points on 51.6 percent shooting in their four losses during their down stretch compared to 93.5 points on 38.3 percent in their two wins.

"When we play defense and we're locked in, we're a totally different team," Wall said. "It's the end of the season, there's only six games left, but that's something we've been preaching all year."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Jazz (38-38) at Suns (20-56)

Date: April 03, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

The Utah Jazz have become known for their defense under Quin Snyder, and they've certainly tightened things up while taking control of their own playoff destiny.

That effort, along with Trey Lyles' performance, is making it easier to play without Derrick Favors.

With their second-leading scorer's status uncertain, the visiting Jazz hope to keep pace in the Western Conference playoff chase Sunday night when they seek their first four-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns in 16 years.

Utah surrendered a league-low average of 94.9 points in Snyder's first season and ranks second with 96.1 allowed per game so far in 2015-16. The club has elevated its defensive intensity of late, giving up just 87.8 in the last 10 of its current 9-3 stretch.

The Jazz (38-38) held mighty Golden State well below its league-leading scoring average (115.3) in Wednesday's 103-96 overtime home loss before limiting Minnesota to 37 points in the second half of Friday's 98-85 home victory. Rudy Gobert led the effort with three blocks as Utah improved to 17-6 when the center has turned away at least that many.

Gordon Hayward led the way offensively with 22 points while Lyles added 18 and Rodney Hood scored 17. Lyles could get another start after finishing one shy of his career high with Favors likely to be game-time call after sitting out due to right knee soreness.

Tied with Dallas for seventh in the West and one game ahead of ninth-place Houston, the Jazz can't afford to stumble against lesser opponents as they look to earn their second trip to the postseason in the past six years. They'll try to take care of business versus Phoenix (20-56) ahead of tough home matchups with San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers.

"We know every game is not going to be a blowout because you think it's going to be a blowout. ... It might be a grind," Hood said. "We're playing with urgency. ... It's hard not to (watch what other teams are doing.) But we control what we can control.'

Hood has given the club a lift in the past three games, averaging 22.3 points while hitting 12 of 21 from 3-point range. He had scored 18.7 per game over his previous three against Phoenix before finishing with eight on 4-of-13 shooting in a 103-69 home rout March 17.

The Jazz have won six of the past eight meetings, including three victories this season by an average of a 21.4 points. After limiting Phoenix to 82.3 points per game on 36.9 percent shooting in those contests, they can sweep this series for the first time since 1999-2000.

The Suns shot 38.7 percent while playing without Brandon Knight and Jon Leuer in Friday's 106-99 home loss to Washington. Knight remains doubtful with a sports hernia, while Leuer's status is uncertain because of an ankle injury.

Mirza Teletovic stepped up with 34 points and 12 rebounds while P.J. Tucker contributed 18 and 10. Devin Booker got off to a rough start this month with 14 points on 6-of-22 shooting after the rookie guard had averaged 22.4 points in 16 games last month.

'This is part of the process for Devin, being the closer,' interim coach Earl Watson said after his team's fifth straight loss. 'I guarantee you he's more motivated (after this game).'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Grizzlies (41-35) at Magic (32-44)

Date: April 03, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

Bruised and battered like no other club in NBA history, the Memphis Grizzlies are desperately clinging to a playoff spot after setting a record no one hopes to reach.

With players like Jarell Martin, Xavier Munford and JaMychal Green forced into major roles, the Grizzlies hope to avoid their longest losing streak in more than six years Sunday night when they visit the suddenly high-scoring Orlando Magic.

The Grizzlies have a slim edge over sixth-place Portland in the Western Conference playoff picture, but even a four-game lead over ninth-place Houston doesn't feel safe.

Memphis has lost leading scorers Marc Gasol and Mike Conley for the rest of the regular season and several others have missed time. As a result, the team set a league single-season record Friday when Bryce Cotton became the 28th player to suit up.

'We just have to stay the course and continue to just fight,' veteran swingman Vince Carter said. 'No one said it's going to be easy, and I think everyone understands that.'

Zach Randolph, the club's go-to scorer by default, had 16 points on 6-of-18 shooting in a 99-95 home loss to Toronto in his second game back after missing two because of an ankle injury. No other player scored more than 12 as the Grizzlies shot 40.7 percent.

Memphis (41-35), however, limited the Raptors to 42.3 percent shooting after allowing an average of 106.8 points on 52 percent in the first four games of its skid. The club hopes to build on that effort as it tries to avoid dropping six in a row for the first time since a seven-game slide in November 2009.

Orlando (32-44) has scored 118.5 per game over its last four, including Tuesday's 139-105 home rout of Brooklyn that marked the team's highest-scoring effort since 2009.

"We just have to stay together and understand that the game is not won quarter to quarter. It's won in 48 minutes overall," Memphis guard Tony Allen told the team's official website. "Paying attention to detail is going to be key because that team in Orlando, I just saw the other day they had 139 points. I know they like to run-and-gun and we just have to be ready to defend and play our style of basketball."

Victor Oladipo filled the stat sheet for the Magic with 18 points, five assists, five steals and four blocks in a 113-110 loss at Milwaukee that snapped a three-game winning streak.

Nikola Vucevic has provided a boost by totaling 46 points on 22-of-28 shooting in two games since missing 13 because of a groin injury. The center also led the Magic with 16 points and 14 rebounds in a 108-102 overtime loss at Memphis on Jan. 25.

"The guys have played well the last few games, but it's just a (four)-game stretch and a small sample size,' coach Scott Skiles told the team's official website. "We'll have to see if we can keep it going and end the season on a high note playing good basketball."

The Magic look to bounce back by winning three straight at home for the first time since November, but they've dropped nine in a row in this series.

Randolph finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies in January, and he's averaged 19.8 points on 50.7 percent shooting in his last five meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bulls (38-38) at Bucks (32-44)

Date: April 03, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Chicago Bulls don't have much time to regroup after what could be the most damaging loss to their playoff hopes.

They'll make the short trip Sunday night to face the Milwaukee Bucks in a contest they can't afford to lose with postseason aspirations dwindling.

Chicago (38-38) is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, trailing Detroit by 2 1/2 games and Indiana by two. The Bulls fell 94-90 at home to the Pistons on Saturday, missing a chance to pull within one-half game of a playoff spot despite Jimmy Butler's first triple-double as he had 28 points and career highs of 17 rebounds and 12 assists.

'I just felt like I could have done more,' Butler said. 'I could have made some more shots or played better defense. There's always room for improvement. All I want to do is win. I didn't do my job. We as a whole didn't do our job.'

Pau Gasol had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulls, who shot 38.6 percent and know that an eighth straight trip to the postseason is in severe jeopardy.

"We're aware of our situation and math is probably against us at this point but we also have a mentality of continuing to compete and continuing to fight and give ourselves a chance," Gasol said. "We don't depend on ourselves but we can control our effort and our spirit on the floor so that's what we're going to continue to do."

Chicago isn't at full strength since Derrick Rose sat out Saturday with a bruised left elbow after he missed the second half of Thursday's 103-100 victory over Houston.

Rose said the elbow is getting better each day, but it remains tender. He's unsure if he'll play Sunday.

"I'm too blessed, man,' he said. 'I've played in numerous games this year. Still got a chance to make the playoffs. So I'm not worried about being out.'

Forward Taj Gibson is also out indefinitely by a broken rib.

Chicago is 6-10 in the second game of back-to-back sets as it looks to capture three of four from Milwaukee. Butler has gone for 62 points and 16 assists in two games versus the Bucks.

Milwaukee (32-44) improved to 2-1 on this five-game homestand with Friday's 113-110 victory over Orlando. Jabari Parker scored 26 on 12-of-14 shooting and Giannis Antetokounmpo notched his fifth triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

"We're not going to make it to the playoffs no more so the only thing we're thinking is to get better as a team and be as a unit," Antetokounmpo said.

Tyler Ennis scored a career-high 15, including two free throws with four seconds left for the final margin.

'Tyler's not going to panic,' coach Jason Kidd said. 'He's a guy, no matter what the score, he's always calm. He's a point guard that is always under control. His teammates trust him.'

Antetokounmpo is averaging 19.7 points on 52.3 percent shooting versus the Bulls while Khris Middleton is averaging 20.0 points on 39.7 percent.

Jerryd Bayless is uncertain after he sat out Friday with a hyperextended right knee suffered in the Bucks' previous game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pacers (40-36) at Knicks (31-46)

Date: April 03, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

What appeared to be a fairly simple road trip against two terrible teams has proved to be anything but for the Indiana Pacers.

They needed a late run to scrape past the league's worst team and now look to defeat the New York Knicks for the sixth straight meeting Sunday night.

Indiana (40-36) needed a 19-4 run in the final 4:38 to rally for Saturday's 115-102 victory at Philadelphia. C.J. Miles scored 25 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:39 left.

'We're satisfied with winning,' said forward Paul George, who had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. 'We're not satisfied with how we won.'

The Pacers hold the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot with a two-game lead over Chicago, which lost Saturday at home to Detroit. Indiana trails the seventh-place Pistons by one-half game.

Miles turned in his biggest effort since scoring 27 versus Brooklyn on Feb. 3. He made 9 of 14 shots, including five 3-pointers.

'Just playing within myself, doing what I do,' Miles said. 'If I'm open, catch and shoot. If I'm not, try to read the closeout (by a defender) or get off of it, move as much as I can, run with these guys, because they push the ball and I know I can get shots in transition."

George's two 3-pointers gave him a career-best 200. He and notorious Knicks nemesis Reggie Miller are the only Pacers ever to record that many in a single season.

Even with the poor effort Saturday and despite a 5-10 mark in the second half of back-to-back games, the Pacers have to like their chances of sweeping this trip.

Indiana's five-game win streak over New York (31-46) includes a 108-105 victory Feb. 24, and two Knicks starters from that game may not see action.

Veteran point guard Jose Calderon sat out one game with a right quad contusion while rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis has missed two straight with a strained right shoulder. The Knicks may shut down both for the rest of the season, particularly Porzingis since he's one of the franchise's cornerstones.

Rookie Jerian Grant took over for Calderon on Friday in his first start and had 14 points in a 105-91 victory over the Nets that snapped a three-game slide. Langston Galloway led New York with 18, scoring 14 in the fourth quarter.

"It was fun to get the win, to start, to be a part of it, it was fun," Grant said.

The Knicks are reducing the minutes of their veterans down the stretch. Carmelo Anthony scored 13 in 25 minutes and no one played more than Robin Lopez's 29.

'I thought guys played very well, especially coming down the stretch, kind of just taking advantage of the minutes that were given to them,' Anthony said.

Anthony is second in the NBA with 495 isolations. George entered Saturday with 315 as one of seven other players with at least 300.

Galloway, who averages 7.6 points, has totaled 36 in his last two games versus the Pacers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Celtics (44-32) at Lakers (16-59)

Date: April 03, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

A few days after a brief video not intended for public consumption brought turmoil upon the Lakers, the Celtics spent 2 1/2 hours working on something that figures to have a far longer shelf life on the Internet.

Boston's disruption of the defending champions' run at history won't mean nearly as much if it can't follow with a win Sunday night at Staples Center, where Los Angeles will try to continue putting aside its Snapchat snafu in Kobe Bryant's final game in a rivalry that long precedes social media.

D'Angelo Russell and Nick Young spoke prior to Wednesday night's game against Miami after Russell's video exchange with Young - featuring the veteran speaking to the rookie about cheating on rapper fiancee Iggy Azalea - became public on Snapchat and sent a shockwave through the locker room.

A 102-100 overtime win over the Heat was a mere afterthought, lost in hypotheticals of how the video was leaked and how the Lakers (16-59) would be able to co-exist with the 20-year-old point guard moving forward.

"It's the elephant in the room, especially when those two guys come in the locker room," said Jordan Clarkson, a good friend of both players. "I don't know what they're doing to handle it out between them, but D'Angelo handled it the right way. He apologized. ... It was crazy, but it's LA. It's Nick and D'Angelo."

That story occupied the league's attention for a good portion of the week before the Celtics (44-32) brought it back to basketball on Friday night.

Facing what seemed like an inevitable 1-3 start to this five-game trip, Boston did the unthinkable at Oracle Arena, ending Golden State's NBA-record 54-game home winning streak and threatening the champs' pursuit of 72 victories with a 109-106 stunner.

"It's a big win for us, especially coming after two losses on this road trip," Amir Johnson said after Boston survived 20 Warriors 3s by forcing 22 turnovers. "Now we've gotta go finish one in LA."

Five of the first seven teams to beat Golden State lost their next game, but the Celtics don't seem like a team that will get too high on themselves - particularly since they're one of four teams fighting for the last two home-court advantage spots in the Eastern Conference.

There definitely won't be a hangover if they listen to their coach.

"The beautiful thing about staying with the process is that it never changes," Brad Stevens said. "Tomorrow is tomorrow."

There aren't many more of those in Bryant's basketball life as he'll only suit up two more times at Staples Center following Sunday's game.

He appears to be limping to the finish line after going 1 for 11 from the floor and finishing as a minus-43 in Monday's 123-75 loss at Utah before playing just 8:44 - and missing six of seven shots - against the Heat and exiting for good in the first quarter to get treatment on his knees and shoulder.

Byron Scott expects Bryant to play Sunday against the team he twice faced in the Finals.

"If he plays, he wants to play," Scott said. "He loves that competition. He loves competing at the highest level. The last game of playing eight, nine minutes didn't sit well with him, but what else can he do when he can't play?"

Bryant played a big role in the Lakers' surprising 112-104 win in Boston on Dec. 30. He finished just 5 of 18 from the field but scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a key 3-pointer with 1:39 left.

Russell had 16 points off the bench. Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 24 and Evan Turner had 20.

Boston rested Jae Crowder on Friday after he returned from an eight-game absence the night before, but Crowder should play Sunday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Sunday's hot teams
-- Dallas won its last three games, allowing 89-89-88 points (6-1 last 7A)
-- Charlotte won seven of last nine games (9-4 last 13A). Cleveland won five of its last seven games (4-7 last 11HF).
-- Thunder won nine of their last ten games (5-2 last 7AF).
-- Clippers won four of their last five games (3-5 last 8HF).
-- Utah won seven of its last ten games (8-4AF).
-- Orlando won three of its last four games (4-1 last 5HF).
-- Bucks won three of last five home games (8-2 last 10HF).
-- Golden State won six of its last seven games (0-4 last 4HF). Blazers won their last four games (2-3 last 5AU).
-- Celtics won five of their last seven games (7-4 last 11AF).

Cold teams
-- Pelicans lost four of their last six games (4-1 last 5AU). Nets are 2-7 in their last nine games (2-2HF).
-- Minnesota lost three of its last four games (0-3 last 3H).
-- Rockets lost five of their last seven games (5-3HU).
-- Washington lost four of its last six games (2-4 last 6AU).
-- Phoenix lost its last five games (3-2 last 5HU).
-- Grizzlies lost their last five games (4-2 last 6AU).
-- Bulls lost five of their last seven games (5-1 last 6AU).
-- Indiana lost three of last four games (1-3 last 4AF). Knicks also lost three of last four games (2-6 last 8HU).
-- Lakers lost eight of their last ten games (5-7 last 12HU).

Series records
-- Pelicans won their last four games with Brooklyn.
-- Mavericks won their last six games with Minnesota.
-- Cavaliers won five of last six games with Charlotte.
-- Houston won five of last seven games with Oklahoma City.
-- Clippers won eight of last ten games with Washington.
-- Jazz won six of their last eight games with Phoenix.
-- Grizzlies won last nine games (6-3 vs spread) with Orlando.
-- Bulls won three of last four games with Milwaukee.
-- Knicks lost their last five games with Indiana.
-- Warriors won five of last six games with Portland.
-- Lakers won five of last six games with Boston.

Totals
-- Four of last five New Orleans games stayed under.
-- Five of last seven Minnesota games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Cleveland games stayed under total.
-- Six of last seven Houston games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Clipper games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last ten Utah games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 5-3 in last eight Orlando games.
-- Seven of last eight Chicago games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Indiana-New York games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Portland games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Boston games stayed under total.

Back/backs
-- Bulls are 4-10 in last 14 games if they played night before.
-- Indiana covered four of last six if it played night before.
-- Portland covered four of last five if it played night before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

At the Gate - Sunday
By Mike Dempsey

The $1 million Florida Derby started as most expected with Nyquist jumping out to the early lead while Mohaymen tracked the early pace, although he was caught out wide. However, it did not end as I expected.

Turning for home Nyquist had the lead and Mohaymen made a move to get close, and it looked as if the showdown in the stretch we were all looking forward to was going to happen. Instead Nyquist pulled away to an authoritative victory while Mohaymen sputtered and suffered his first career defeat.

Rain fell earlier in the day leaving the track with some moisture to it, and it looked to me as if Mohaymen really was not take hold of the racing surface.

It may not be wise to toss him as a Kentucky Debry pick just yet. Let’s see how he comes out of the race and works leading up to the first Saturday of May. He has one of the best trainers in the U.S. in his corner in Kiaran McLaughlin.

The future odds for the Kentucky Derby did a flip flop, with Nyquist now the 3-1 favorite while Mohaymen has drifted up to 5-1. Danzing Candy and Destin are the co-third choices at 9-1.

Sunday is the closing day of the championship meeting at Gulfstream Park, and we will move our tack back to Aqueduct and Keeneland.


Here is today’s opener from Gulfstream Park to get the day off to a good start:

GP Race 1 Md $35,000 (12:35 ET)
#7 Arthemisa 8-1
#6 Final Thoughts 6-1
#3 Starship Reina 4-1
#2 Chucky Please 7-2

Analysis: Arthemisa cuts back from 7 1/2 furlongs here where the filly dueled for the early lead and weakened to finish sixth. She comes back with blinkers added and three back at this distance she was up pressing the pace in a runner up finish. She is out of a Touch Gold mare that has dropped one other foal to race, a turf winner. Worth a look if this gal goes off near her 8-1 morning line.

Final Thoughts makes her debut for the Klesaris barn that is 24% winners (with a +ROI) with first time starters dating back three years and has won with 3 of his last 6. She is out of a Carson City mare that has dropped three winners including one turf winner. The struggling Prado takes the call and while the works are not jumping off the page she catches a weak group here.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 4-1 or better.
EX: 6,7 / 2,3,6,7
TRI: 6,7 / 2,3,6,7 / 2,3,5,6,7

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Gulfstream Park:

GP Race 7 OClm $35,000N3L (3:35 ET)
#7 Best Bard 6-1
#4 Gryvon 4-1
#9 Gombey Dancer 3-1
#2 Rod McLeod 10-1

Analysis: Best Bard dueled for the early lead and tired to finish seventh last out in the restricted Old Man English. The gelding is now 0 for 3 since landing with the Walder barn but now we get a witch to dirt along with a class drop. He has four in the money finishes on poly but this will be his first start on dirt. The barn is 21% winners moving runners form turf to dirt. Decent value here if he goes off near his 6-1 morning line.

Gryvon checked in fourth last out at this level, getting bumped around in the stretch. The runner up Gombey Dancer came back to beat $30,000 non-winners of three or a race in six months on March 11. He has run three solid races since getting claimed by Navarro. The barn is 30% winners moving runners from route to sprint.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 4-1 or better.
EX: 4,7 / 2,4,7,9
TRI: 4,7 / 2,4,7,9 / 1,2,4,7,9

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Santa Anita:

SA Race 8 The Tokyo City Cup G3 (4:14 PT)
#7 Lieutenant Colonel 5-2
#1 Big John B 2-1
#2 Class Leader 7-2
#5 China Girl Lover 9-2

Analysis: Lieutenant Colonel took the field gate to wire for a sharp score against Alw-2 optional claimers going nine furlongs. The third place finisher came back to beat Alw-2 foes in his next start with a 95 Beyer. Hollendorfer has the guy at the top of his game now and the question is whether he can carry his speed this far. He is by Colonel John out of a Carson City mare. With just six starts under his belt he may still have some upside.

Big John B returns to the main track after a seventh last out on the turf in the San Luis Rey (G2) at Santa Anita, a turf he does not seem to care much for. He won the Cougar II 'Cap (G3) at this distance in his last start on dirt. While he has shown he is best on turf he figures to bounce back here for the D'Amato barn that is 20% winners moving runners form turf to dirt.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 2-1 or better.
EX: 1,7 / 1,2,5,7
TRI: 1,7 / 1,2,5,7 / 1,2,3,5,7

Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Gulfstream Park
R1: #7 Arthemisa 8-1
R2: #1 Schettino 10-1
R2: #6 Gray Phantom 8-1
R5: #1 Afleet Mary 10-1
R7: #2 Rod McLeod 10-1
R8: #5 Olympic Smoke 12-1

Good luck today!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Sunday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Aqueduct (1st) Conquest Kronos, 4-1
(9th) Riot Worthy, 7-2

Golden Gate Fields (4th) Shanty Irish, 7-2
(7th) Curly Girly, 8-1


Gulfstream Park (6th) Yourdreamsormine, 3-1
(8th) Like a Charm, 9-2


Laurel Park (6th) Classic Wildcat, 6-1
(9th) Bringonthethunder, 6-1


Oaklawn Park (3rd) Native Indy, 3-1
(9th) Dehaven, 9-2


Parx Racing (2nd) Wind Clan Warrior, 3-1
(8th) Manhattan Mischief, 5-1


Santa Anita (3rd) Desert Madam, 5-1
(7th) French Getaway, 4-1


Sunland Park (7th) Grace and Truth, 5-1
(8th) Take It Slowly, 6-1


Tampa Bay Downs (4th) Desert Summer, 4-1
(9th) Ringold, 4-1

Turf Paradise (2nd) Peppy Miller, 3-1
(8th) Majestic C, 6-1


Turfway Park (6th) Rulelikecleopatra, 4-1
(7th) Hidden Brook, 9-2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (0-0) at Pirates (0-0)

Game: 1
Venue: PNC Park
Date: April 03, 2016 1:05 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Pirates have spent the last three years making believers out of everybody, even the schedule makers.

The team that toiled in national anonymity for two decades will bat leadoff for Major League Baseball on Sunday when the Pirates host rival St. Louis in the opening game of the 2016 regular season. The significance isn't lost on a club that has undergone a pragmatic and thorough transformation under relentlessly optimistic manager Clint Hurdle, a ride that includes three consecutive playoff berths and the second-best record in the majors since the start of 2013.

'We're getting the kind of recognition as an organization that I don't think we've gotten a much in the past,' pitcher Jeff Locke said. 'Even as successful as we've been the last three years, really you can say it has been coming on for the last five years. This organization has really changed its face a lot.'

There's no need to convince the three-time defending NL Central champion Cardinals, who will send out ace Adam Wainwright against Francisco Liriano as arguably the most hotly contested division in baseball gets a jumpstart on what could be another six-month staredown between St. Louis, Pittsburgh and the trendy Chicago Cubs.

'I do think it's tangible evidence we've gotten better,' Hurdle said. 'We got to play five Sunday night games last year. There's a whole different set of challenges in those we found out as we get into the season and we start playing good baseball and people take notice and they want to put you on TV because they like your team and they like your players.'

And they taut, high-level play that tends to follow the Pirates face the Cardinals.

St. Louis is the only team with a better record over the last three years than Pittsburgh, the main reason the Pirates have been relegated to the wild card during the franchise's sprint back to respectability. Pittsburgh is well aware a better start would go a long way toward claiming its first division crown in 24 years. The Pirates are just 58-65 in April during Hurdle's highly successful tenure, typically waiting to heat up in lockstep with the weather at PNC Park.

'We dug some holes in the past coming out of spring training,' Hurdle said. 'We structured our spring training a little differently this year to hopefully generate a more consistent offense from opening day to the end of the season.'

Pittsburgh got hot last spring just in time to hold off the rapidly maturing Cubs in the regular season, though the Pirates mustered little in a 4-0 loss to Chicago ace Jake Arrieta during the one-game elimination. Despite the departure of longtime fixtures Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez over the winter, Pittsburgh remains bullish on the possibilities 2016 provides.

'It's not so much optimism it's more just a belief that we know what we can do with what we have,' second baseman Josh Harrison said. 'If that's taken as optimism that's fine but this isn't a front from anybody in this locker room. We know we're good. We don't care about what people say and what's been done. All that matters is what happens between those white lines and that's what makes it so good.'

It's a feeling that's equally as pervasive in St. Louis. The last time the Cardinals visited PNC Park, they soaked the carpet in the visitor's clubhouse after claiming their ninth NL Central crown since the start of the millennium.

'I am very, very excited about this team,' said Wainwright, who will start his fifth opening day for St. Louis.

And the rest of baseball is excited for a season filled with high expectations in three cities taking different tacks in hopes of reaching the same destination.

'No one wants to talk about a team that has won nearly 300 games in three years and no one wants to give us any credit because those other teams might look a little bit better on paper but games aren't played on paper and if we didn't have to play them we'd all have the year off I guess,' Locke said. 'We'll see what happens. I know it's going to be a tight race. Other teams have good pitching and good offense but it's nothing that we don't have.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (0-0) at Rays (0-0)

Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: April 03, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Chris Archer relishes his emerging status as one of the new faces of baseball.

Evan Longoria still may be the most accomplished player on the Tampa Bay Rays roster, but Archer is quickly making name for himself after a breakout season in 2015.

The 27-year-old pitcher makes the second opening day start of his career Sunday against the defending AL East champion Toronto Blue Jays at sold-out Tropicana Field.

'It's a nice accomplishment. We have a lot of really good pitchers on our staff, so for me to be the one selected is nice,' said Archer, who also started last season's opener, but only after Alex Cobb underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery during spring training.

'Last year it happened, but not under the best circumstances, so to be the one to earn it for the 2016 season is nice,' he added. 'Even more special than last year considering how it happened and considering the arms we have healthy this year.'

Archer was a first All-Star and finished fifth AL Cy Young balloting in 2015, when he went 12-13 with a 3.23 ERA in 34 starts. In addition to working a career-high 212 innings, the right-hander struck out a franchise-record 252 to rank fourth in the majors behind Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and Chris Sale.

A voracious reader who's among the more quotable players in baseball, Archer is making his mark off the field as well through numerous community and charitable endeavors.

He made his debut as a broadcaster during last season's playoffs, and easily was the most sociable Tampa Bay player during the team's recent trip to Cuba, where he got an opportunity to chat with President Barack Obama before the Rays played an exhibition against the Cuban national team.

Archer welcomes his role as the leader of a starting rotation that has a chance to be one of the best in the AL, excited to follow in the footsteps of former Rays James Shields and David Price, who helped set a standard young Tampa Bay pitchers feel compelled to uphold.

Tampa Bay earned playoff berths four of six seasons between 2008 and 2013.

'The day I walked in the door, James Shields laid it down for me: `This is what we do. We throw 200 innings. We're not really concerned about runs because innings speak for themselves,'' Archer said. 'We're trying to carry the load so that the bullpen can be used in the right situations and be as fresh as they possibly can be for that extra month of the season.'

Manager Kevin Cash said Archer earned role through hard work and performance.

'He comes about it naturally. It's not something that he feels he has to force, and that's why he's pretty special,' the manager said.

'Performance gives you the platform in the clubhouse to accomplish things off the field as well,' Archer said, adding he hopes improve this season in every aspect of pitching.

'Every single thing that I do on the mound, I want to be more consistent with,' he said. 'Fastball command, sharpness of my off speed, in-zone rate with all my off speed, minimizing damage, controlling the running game. Everything's that on the list, I want to get better at.'

The Blue Jays, coming off a season in which they lost to Kansas City in the AL Championship Series, will counter with right-hander Marcus Stroman in the opener.

Stroman was limited to four starts last year, going 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA in 27 innings after sitting out most of the season recovering from left knee injury suffered during spring training. Dating to 2014, the 24-year-old has won eight of his past nine decisions.

The Rays have announced a sellout for the home opener for the 11th consecutive year. Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is expected to attend, the first time in the franchise's 19-season history that a commissioner has visited Tropicana Field for a home opener.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (0-0) at Royals (0-0)

Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: April 03, 2016 8:37 PM EDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The two teams and their respective starting pitchers that wrapped up last season will usher in the new one when the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets meet Sunday night at Kauffman Stadium.

The only difference will be the location.

Oh, and the stakes.

There is no championship on the line, as there was in Game 5 of the World Series last fall at Citi Field. Rather the season opener for both teams, shifted to prime-time to accommodate an ESPN audience, will serve as the curtain-raiser on the Royals' defense of their first title since 1985.

It's the first opening day rematch of a World Series in major league history.

'It's impossible to simulate World Series atmospheres,' Mets third baseman David Wright said, 'but with them getting their rings and raising the banner and things like that, I think it would give a little bit of motivation. But I also think they deserved it. They outplayed us during the World Series, no question.'

The Royals return most of the same team that not only won last year's Fall Classic but reached Game 7 against the San Francisco Giants the previous year. If not for the virtuoso effort of Madison Bumgarner, the AL Central champions could be trying for a three-peat.

Of course, winning another can't happen without first getting to the playoffs.

Royals manager Ned Yost was part of 12 division champions with Bobby Cox in Atlanta, yet the Braves only managed to win one World Series. That shows just how difficult the journey is to October.

'It's extremely difficult to maintain that, and just to get there,' Yost said. 'Our focus in spring training was getting off to a good start, and at the end of the year, having an opportunity to fight our way back. Because it is, it's a fight. Everyone starts the year with those aspirations and dreams of making it to a World Series, but it's very difficult to do.'

The Mets no doubt have similar aspirations.

When they send Matt Harvey to the mound against the Royals' Edinson Volquez on Sunday night, they will do so still searching for their first title since 1986. They also lost to the Yankees in the 2000 Series.

'It will be a good test for us, especially on the road,' Wright said, 'and provide a little motivation when we see those winners' rings that they're getting.'

The ring ceremony is actually scheduled for Game 2 on Tuesday. All the Mets will have to bear with on Sunday night is watching the Royals raise their second championship banner.

'A lot of guys here were not in the World Series. At some point, you turn the page and get ready for 2016, and for us that was this spring,' Wright said. 'It stinks to fall a little bit short, but it was a heck of a run. We just can't keep talking about last year.'

Both teams are predicting an emotional two-game set, given the way things transpired the last time they met on the field. There were intentional pitches inside, threats of retaliation and plenty of heated moments in the pressure-cooker that comes with the World Series.

Some have even suggested that tension may still linger five months later.

'I'm really looking forward to it. I think all the guys are looking forward to it,' said the Mets' Noah Syndergaard, whose inside pitch to Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar was the flashpoint of Game 3.

'It's going to be an extremely high-energy game,' Syndergaard said. 'As soon as we get to Kansas City, it's pedal-to-the-metal from there. It should be a fun time and we're all looking forward to it.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

Mets-Royals in Season Opener

After butting heads in the 2015 World Series, the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets will meet again Sunday night (8:30 PM ET, ESPN) in the 2016 season-opener for both teams. Kansas City beat the Mets in five games to win the Fall Classic for the first time since 1985. This year, New York (+1200) is a step above the Royals (+1400) on the World Series futures market.

Edinson Volquez will be the Opening Day pitcher for the home side. Volquez enjoyed something of a renaissance in Kansas City, posting a 3.82 FIP and topping the 200-inning mark for the first time, but he's still not as dominant as he was during his 2008 rookie campaign with the Cincinnati Reds.

New York will respond with Matt Harvey (3.05 FIP), who was brilliant last year in his return from Tommy John surgery. However, Harvey's brilliance only translated to a 17-12 team record and 1.27 betting units in profit during the regular season, and the Mets' bullpen coughed up both of Harvey's starts during the World Series. Volquez, who dueled with Harvey in both games, was good for 9.43 units last year on a team record of 22-11.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Play Ball'


It seems like only yesterday that Kansas City Royals won the World Series but here we are, hot dogs, peanuts and ice-cold beer being offered up at ballparks across the country as the 2016 Major League Baseball season gets into swing. In an afternoon matchup the Tampa Bay Rays host Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.

The Rays send out right-hander Chris Archer who ended the 2015 campaign with a 12-13 record with Rays 18-16 over his 34 starts costing backers minus -$259 at the betting window. Archers's pitching rival will be Marcus Stroman. The Jays right-hander only started seven games in 2015 due to an ACL tear in spring training. What's eye-opening, the hurler won each of his four regular season starts then was 1-0 in three postseason trips to the mound finishing with an impressive 6-1 Team Start Record on the year stuffing +$433 into betting accounts.

The Rays have enjoyed home cooking in this series, compiling a 6-3 (+$297) record at Tropicana Field last year and have a 44-21 (+$1488) winning stretch since 2009 facing Blue Jays before the home audience. Those numbers make Rays a tempting proposition. However, handicapping demands digging a little deeper to get a better take on the situation. Those whose focus is baseball betting have certainly done so and have unearthed these hidden gems among a sea of baseball betting stats.

The Rays have been on the wrong end of the scoreboard in seven of its last ten games against the Blue Jays and were a mediocre 12-14 (-$480) on home field in day games last year, 10-16 (-$848) opening a home series. Additionally, Rays have flailed about when put in the role of home underdog of +$1.15 or less. In 18 such situations last year the club was 6-12 costing backers -$556 at the betting window. Factor all that data together and the arrow is clearly pointing toward taking the Blue Jays in the opener.

Best of luck this season, above all enjoy the games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sunday's six-pack

-- Villanova 95, Oklahoma 51-- Discouraging tank job by the Sooners.

-- You have to wonder if two Oklahoma assistant coaches getting head coaching jobs elsewhere during the week affected this game. Maybe not, but still......

-- North Carolina 83, Syracuse 66-- Good to play a 10-seed in national semis.

-- 49ers are going to trade Colin Kaepernick to Denver. What will they get back?

-- AJ Pollock broke his elbow sliding into home plate Friday. Big loss for Arizona.

-- Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech are both pursing Valparaiso coach Bryce Drew.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sharp Bettor

Sharp Bettor's Free Pick for Sunday, April 3, 2016, NHL.

The long road trip for Dallas continues, a team without its top offensive star in Tyler Seguin. They run into a dominant Anaheim defense that is No. 3 in the NHL in goals scored, though just No. 17 in goals scored, off a 3-2 loss to Vancouver.

Play Dallas/Anaheim Under the total.