Thursday 4/7/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Avalanche (39-37) at Stars (48-23)

Date: April 07, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

The Dallas Stars control their own fate in pursuit of their first division title in 10 years and the accompanying reward of having home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.

There's also a chance they'll open the postseason on the road if they stumble in their final two games, though.

Dallas can do its part toward eliminating some suspense by beating the visiting Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night, and it should know by game's end if another division rival provided the necessary help for it to wrap up the Central.

The Stars (48-23-9) are tied with St. Louis atop the West but hold the first tiebreaker with three more regulation and overtime victories and two games left for both clubs. If Dallas beats Colorado (39-37-4) and Nashville on Saturday, it would clinch its first division title since winning the Pacific in 2005-06.

It has a chance to celebrate the Central crown sooner, though, with a win over the Avalanche and a St. Louis loss at Chicago on Thursday.

"We got two left. We want to win them both," coach Lindy Ruff said.

Winning one at least would secure home-ice advantage in the first round. The Stars would open the postseason on the road only if it loses both games in regulation, the Blues get one point and Chicago wins out with at least one regulation or overtime victory.

Sunday's 3-1 loss at Anaheim that snapped a four-game winning streak didn't help the Stars' cause. Dallas killed both Ducks power-play opportunities and opponents are now 2 for 44 with the man advantage over the last 15 games, but the Stars failed to convert on four power-play chances.

"Clearly the power play let us down. A couple of mistakes went the wrong way," said forward Patrick Sharp, whose four-game point streak ended. "You are not always going to score on the power play, but you don't want to change momentum going the other way."

Although Dallas' postseason situation remains tense, the Avalanche certainly are envious. They've dropped four straight and officially were eliminated from the wild-card race with Tuesday's 4-3 loss at Nashville.

Matt Duchene had two assists in his third game back after missing the previous six, but Nathan MacKinnon sat out for the eighth consecutive time with a knee injury.

Duchene and MacKinnon suffered their injuries during a three-game winning streak that increased Colorado's chances for the West's last playoff spot, but it has lost six of seven since. The collapse will keep the Avs out of the postseason for the second straight year after winning the Central in Patrick Roy's first season behind the bench.

"We expect more from this team," Roy said. "We had some bad luck toward the end, losing Duchene and MacKinnon at the wrong time. I get it. It is such a fine line for any team to make the playoffs.

"It bothers me a lot. I'm in Denver to win the Stanley Cup."

The Avalanche have won the last four meetings in Dallas and took the first two matchups this season to extend their winning streak in the series to eight. John Klingberg's overtime goal gave the Stars a 4-3 victory Feb. 4.

It's unclear if Antti Niemi or Kari Lehtonen will be in net for this one, though Niemi had an ugly .821 save percentage in starting the first three against the Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov, who has a 4.12 goals-against average in dropping four straight starts, could get the call for Colorado.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blues (48-23) at Blackhawks (47-26)

Date: April 07, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

A potent offense has the St. Louis Blues on an impressive roll despite the absence of some key contributors. The exact same thing can be said of the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Central Division rivals are on a potential collision course for a postseason matchup, and that could move closer to reality Thursday night when the teams meet at the United Center.

As the season enters the final few days, there is still plenty left to be determined in the Western Conference. St. Louis (48-23-9) and Dallas are tied for the Central lead and Chicago trails by four points. Finishing as the top seed would give the Blues a first-round matchup with Minnesota, while a second-place finish in the division would send them into a series with the Blackhawks.

'We have a lot at stake right now,' Blues goaltender Brian Elliott said. 'It's funny how it always comes down to the last games no matter what.'

Outside of Pittsburgh, which has won 13 of 14, no teams appear more formidable right now than St. Louis and Chicago (47-26-7).

The Blues have won seven of eight, averaging 3.75 goals with five in each of the last three games. Kyle Brodziak scored two of their five unanswered in a 5-2 victory over Arizona on Monday.

'I think we just weren't as sharp as we needed to be and sometimes that happens (when) you come home late,' Brodziak said. 'I thought the energy in the room after the first was really, really good and we got ourselves re-focused.'

Elliott continued his stellar run with 25 saves and improved to 12-1-1 with a 1.74 goals-against average and four shutouts since the All-Star break. He'll need to carry the load in net with backup Jake Allen (lower body) out for the rest of the regular season.

Also sidelined for the final two games is captain David Backes (lower body), second on the team with 21 goals and fourth with 45 points.

St. Louis will get absolutely no sympathy from Chicago, which is currently without goaltender Corey Crawford, forwards Marian Hossa (lower body), Andrew Shaw (upper body) and Artem Anisimov, and star defenseman Duncan Keith (suspension).

Anisimov left in the second period of Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Coyotes after taking a bit hit from Antoine Vermette.

'We'll know more tomorrow, but we'll say day to day, upper body, he should be OK,' coach Joel Quenneville said.

The loss of Anisimov, who centers a high-scoring line with Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin, would be a big one, but the Blackhawks have managed to win five of six despite those absences. Their offense has somehow been better lately, totaling 17 goals during a three-game win streak with help from a power play that's 6 for 12 after an 0-for-26 drought.

Jonathan Toews has two goals and five assists during a five-game point streak.

"We want to get our game together and play the complete game that we're going to need in the playoffs, but at the same time, it's a lot easier to play at the highest level when the playoffs come around and that motivation's right there in front of your face," Toews said.

Chicago's captain is far from the only Blackhawks player that will take a hot streak into this contest. Panarin has 10 points in his last three games to give him 75 on the season.

Kane, the league leader with 102 points, has five goals and three assists in the team's three-game run

Scott Darling is expected to make his 11th straight start and first against St. Louis. He's 5-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA in the last six.

Elliott has not fared well against Chicago, going 1-3-0 with a 3.32 GAA in his past five starts.

The Blackhawks are 2-0-2 against the Blues this season, losing the last in a six-round shootout March 9 in St. Louis.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Canucks (30-37) at Flames (33-40)

Date: April 07, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

A porous defense prevented the Calgary Flames from a return playoff trip, while a sporadic offense is a main reason why the Vancouver Canucks won't be playing beyond this week.

Both teams enter Thursday night's matchup off disappointing results that can be attributed to each's main weakness.

Calgary (33-40-7) heads into its home finale tied with the Canucks for 12th in the Western Conference and having allowed a league-high 256 goals. It's permitted four or more five times during a 2-5-1 stretch that dashed an already minuscule chance of a second consecutive postseason berth.

The Flames did deliver one of their best defensive performances in Saturday's 5-0 victory at Edmonton, but their bad habits returned Tuesday against Los Angeles. Calgary twice blew a third-period lead in a 5-4 overtime defeat, with the Kings forcing extra time on Kris Versteeg's goal with 35.1 seconds left in regulation.

It's a familiar outcome for a team that failed to build off last season's surprising 97-point output despite a 30-goal sophomore campaign from Johnny Gaudreau, a second straight strong season from fellow youngster Sean Monahan and an injury-free one from captain Mark Giordano, who scored his 21st goal Tuesday to record the highest total for a Flames defenseman since Al MacInnis' 28 in 1993-94.

"Every guy in this locker room that is having a career year would much rather replace it to be in the playoffs and be playing for the Stanley Cup." Gaudreau told the Flames' official website.

Vancouver (30-37-13) will miss the playoffs in large part due to ranking 29th in the NHL with 180 goals.

The lowest point occurred during an 0-8-1 run from March 14-29 in which the Canucks mustered eight goals and were shut out four times. They rebounded to win a season-high three straight prior to Wednesday's 6-2 defeat to an emotionally charged Edmonton team playing its final game at Rexall Place.

Vancouver trailed 3-0 after two periods before goals from Matt Bartkowski and Bo Horvat avoided a 10th shutout loss this season.

"I thought we'd have a little more intensity in our game," coach Willie Desjardins said. "We accepted being average. We didn't fight through enough."

The Canucks did score at will in a season-opening 5-1 victory at the Saddledome on Oct. 7 but totaled five goals in losing the series' past three matchups, including a 5-2 setback at Calgary on Feb. 19.

Jonas Hiller was in net for each of those wins but will give way in this game to Joni Ortio, who attempts to bounce back from Tuesday's 21-save effort. The 24-year-old had posted a 1.82 goals-against average over his previous six starts and had 28 saves against Edmonton for his second NHL shutout.

After Jacob Markstrom struggled in Wednesday's loss, the Canucks turn back to Ryan Miller. The veteran recorded his second consecutive win with 40 saves in Monday's 3-2 victory over Los Angeles.

Miller has yielded six goals in three 2015-16 meetings with Calgary and stopped 29 of 30 shots in the season opener.

Horvat enters the matchup with three goals and two assists over a four-game point streak.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Ducks (44-24) at Kings (47-28)

Date: April 07, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Anaheim's victory in Los Angeles a month ago gave the Ducks sole possession of first place in the Pacific for the first time all season, an accomplishment that seemed unlikely considering the sizable deficit they faced not long before.

Another victory Thursday night at Staples Center would be a major step toward finishing atop the division.

The Ducks (44-24-11) have won the last three meetings with the Kings (47-28-5), who held a 16-point advantage Jan. 20. Anaheim stormed back and went 5 for 7 on the power play over a 4-2 home win over Los Angeles on Feb. 28 and 3-2 victory March 5.

It could have clinched the division with a win over Winnipeg on Tuesday and a regulation victory in this contest, but the Jets scored with less than four minutes in the third before winning 2-1 in overtime. The Kings then forced a tie at 99 points with a 5-4 overtime win at Calgary that night.

"Having a lead late in the game like that, we'd like to close it out," captain Ryan Getzlaf said. "You're not going to win them all, but we would've preferred to have two points. We have to get ready for the next one now."

Anaheim has a game in hand and can put the pressure on the Kings with any kind of victory Thursday even though Los Angeles holds the first tiebreaker with more regulation and overtime wins. The Ducks would need two points over their final two in order to win the Pacific with a victory in overtime or a shootout, but a regulation win would require them to pick up just one.

They have won 11 of the last 14 regular-season meetings with the Kings and are 6-0-1 at Staples Center since the start of 2013-14, but Los Angeles can put itself in the driver's seat with a regulation victory in this one.

If the Kings win before overtime, they'd have a chance to wrap up the Pacific with a victory in Saturday's season finale against visiting Winnipeg despite having lost six of their previous eight before beating the Flames.

Jeff Carter scored 40 seconds into overtime after Kris Versteeg tied it with 35.1 seconds left in the third. Milan Lucic scored twice and Anze Kopitar had a pair of assists.

"We've been struggling (to get points) the last few games, and it's nice to get them, especially to come back like that at the end," center Vincent Lecavalier said. "It's good to get the two points and go home, practice and be ready for our next game."

Even if the Kings don't wind up winning the division, returning to the playoffs is satisfying in itself. Another victory would set a franchise record a year after they missed the postseason, a major disappointment after they won their second Stanley Cup in three seasons in 2013-14.

Winning out would give Los Angeles 103 points, which would be its most since setting a team record with 105 in 1974-75.

'You get 47 wins in a year and your goal going into the year is to try and get 100 points, and we're that close,' coach Darryl Sutter said. 'That's pretty good for a team that didn't make the playoffs last year.'

Jonathan Quick rested against Calgary and will get the start in this one. He has a 3.62 goals-against average while starting each of the previous four meetings with the Ducks, though.

John Gibson has a 1.45 GAA over his last five starts and continues to get the majority of the work with Frederik Andersen nursing a concussion. Gibson has a 2.20 GAA while winning four of his five regular-season starts against the Kings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Jets (33-39) at Sharks (45-29)

Date: April 07, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Although they've fallen out of the Pacific Division title race, the San Jose Sharks still have plenty to play for during their final two regular-season games.

Then again, fighting for home-ice advantage might not serve San Jose's best interests.

After closing out a record-setting season on the road, the Sharks still have an outside chance to finish second in the Pacific as they host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.

Despite winning four of its last five games, San Jose (45-29-6) can no longer claim its first division title since a four-year run from 2007-11 after Anaheim and Los Angeles picked up points Tuesday. While the Sharks can max out with 100, the winner of Thursday's showdown between the Ducks and the Kings will move up to 101.

That result will clear up the possibilities for the Sharks, who must win to have any chance of finishing second in the division and earn home-ice advantage in a first-round playoff matchup with either Anaheim or Los Angeles.

That might not sound as exciting for a team that has dropped four of its past five in San Jose and whose 17 home victories are easily the fewest of any Western Conference team. The Sharks set a franchise single-season record for road wins with an NHL-best 28-10-3 mark.

'I think it's a great accomplishment what they did and through the season setting the road record,' coach Peter DeBoer said. 'To be able to do that, I think, is a testament to how these guys prepare themselves and the grittiness of the group.'

They achieved the feat Tuesday with a 3-0 victory at Minnesota as Patrick Marleau led the way with two goals. Logan Couture contributed a goal and an assist, giving him five goals over his last four games.

Eleven of Couture's 15 goals have come on the road. Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton are tied for second in the league with 44 points on the road, and Marleau has 27. At home, however, Pavelski has totaled 32, Thornton has 35 and Marleau only 19.

They'll try to reverse that trend against a Winnipeg team that ranks in the bottom third of the league with 2.86 goals allowed per game but has only given up one in two straight.

Following a 5-1 home win over Minnesota on Sunday, the Jets (33-39-8) pulled off a 2-1 victory at Anaheim on Tuesday on Blake Wheeler's overtime goal. They haven't won three in a row all season.

Wheeler has six goals and six assists over a nine-game point streak. The right wing has three goals and six assists in his last six against the Sharks.

Ondrej Pavelec was given the night off Tuesday but is expected to be back in net. He's 3-0-2 with a 1.96 goals-against average in his last five starts. Pavelec owns a .934 save percentage over six career games versus the Sharks.

The Jets will have a big impact on what happens in the Pacific. After topping the Ducks and facing the Sharks, they'll take on the Kings on Saturday to close out this season-ending trip.

"We'll see how we measure up," Wheeler told the team's official website.

The road team has taken each of the first two matchups in this series. Winnipeg won 4-1 at San Jose on Jan. 2 before the Sharks got even with a 4-1 victory Jan. 12.

Both games were before James Reimer's arrival in San Jose. He's 6-1-0 with a 1.42 GAA in his last seven starts but has lost five straight to the Jets with a 4.28 GAA.

Pavelski has four goals and six assists in his past eight against Winnipeg.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - April

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
4/1 5 25 36 OVER
4/2 11 58 57 UNDER
4/3 5 26 34 OVER
4/4 5 25.5 32 OVER
4/5 11 59.5 62 OVER
4/6 3 16.5 17 OVER
4/7 13 - - -
4/8 1 - - -
4/9 15 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL Hockey Odds and Picks: Scouting the Week Ahead
by Alan Matthews

Rather hard to imagine already, but it's the final week of the NHL's regular season. And if you happen to be living north of the border or are a fan of a Canadian hockey team, well, sucks for you. That's because all seven teams from that country will miss the playoffs. It's the first time since 1970 that no Canadian team will compete for Lord Stanley's Cup. Back then, the only Canadian teams in the 12-team league were Montreal and Toronto, two of the Original Six franchises. Five Canadian teams made the playoffs last year: the Canadiens, Senators, Canucks, Flames and Jets. But those teams were a combined 15-24, with none advancing beyond the second round. In 2014, Montreal was the only Canadian club in the playoffs.

The Canadiens began this season looking like a lock playoff team and a legitimate Cup contender. They finished second in the NHL last year with 110 points and had the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner in goaltender Carey Price back. The Habs started the 2015-16 season 19-4-3, but a long-term injury to Price led to a crash. Montreal is the last team from Canada to win the Cup in 1993.

It's going to be a financial hit all over the country. Obviously sports bars might now get fewer patrons if there are no Canadian teams to root for (or against, I suppose). Three years ago, Rogers Sportsnet signed a 12-year, $5.2 billion deal for rights to NHL games. Clearly ratings are going to go down now. At least all of the Canadian teams now a chance to get the No. 1 pick in this year's draft and take Auston Matthews -- who is an American, by the way. And there's always the World Cup of Hockey in September in which Canada will be favored. That eight-team tournament, staged for the first time since 2004, is being played in Toronto.

Big Loss For Bolts

Any realistic chance Tampa Bay had of repeating as Eastern Conference champion went out the window over the weekend with the news that superstar captain Steve Stamkos would miss anywhere from 1-3 months with a blood clot near his right collarbone. He had surgery on Monday and may have played his last game as a member of the franchise with free agency upcoming. Stamkos leads the Lightning with 36 goals and is tied with Nikita Kucherov for the lead with 64 points. Stamkos has averaged 0.59 goals per game since the 2009-10 season, tied with Washington's Alex Ovechkin for No. 1 in the NHL.

The Bolts also will be without one of their top defensemen, Anton Stralman, for at least another month with a fractured left leg. He had nine goals and 25 assists and was plus-16 while playing 22:05 minutes per night. You aren't winning the East without those two.

The team that beat Tampa in last year's Cup Finals, Chicago, also is starting to look doubtful of returning. Other than a 12-game winning streak earlier this season, the Hawks have been very mediocre. They will play the rest of the regular season without both goalie Corey Crawford and No. 1 defenseman Duncan Keith. Crawford hasn't played since March 14 because of an upper-body injury. The Hawks do expect him for the playoffs, and it's possible Crawford gets one game under his belt before then. Keith is suspended through Chicago's first playoff game. He didn't appeal the NHL's decision and was probably lucky he only got six games for hitting Minnesota's Charlie Coyle in the face with his stick on March 25.

The Hawks are going to open the postseason most likely at either Dallas or St. Louis. Chicago is +750 to win another Cup and Tampa now way up at +2000.

This Week's Games To Watch

St. Louis at Chicago, Thursday: St. Louis will make its push for the Central Division title without forward David Backes and goalie Jake Allen. Both have been ruled out the rest of the regular season and will be re-evaluated before the playoffs. Backes is second on the club with 21 goals and fourth with 45 points overall. Allen has appeared in 47 games this season, posting a 26-15-3 record. He has a .920 save percentage, 2.35 goals-against average and is second in the NHL with six shutouts. But the Blues have another good goalie in Brian Elliott. Meanwhile, it's all but a sure thing only one player in the league this season gets to triple-digit points, and that's Chicago's Patrick Kane. He got to 100 points on Sunday with a hat trick and an assist against Boston. Kane is the first American-born player since Doug Weight in 1995-96 to record 100 points in a season. Kane joins the Penguins' Sidney Crosby (104 in 2013-14) and Evgeni Malkin (109 in 2011-12) as the only players to reach 100 points in the past five seasons. He's the first Blackhawk to do it since Jeremy Roenick in 1993-94. Kane is a lock to win the scoring title as he's 12 points ahead of No. 2 Jamie Benn. But Kane's 43 goals are two behind the Capitals' Ovechkin.

Anaheim at Los Angeles, Thursday: This game could be for the Pacific Division title and a first-round playoff matchup against first wild-card team Nashville. The Ducks lead the Kings by one point and both have four left (L.A. was in Vancouver on Monday). This matchup starts a three-game road trip for Anaheim, which then goes to Colorado and Washington. The Avs might not have anything to play for then and the Caps certainly don't. The Kings are home to Winnipeg on Saturday to close the regular season. If the Kings were to win the Pacific Division, it'd be their first division title since the 1990-91 season and just their second in franchise history. The Kings are +350 Western Conference favorites. The Ducks, who are +500 for the conference title, have won the division each of the past three years. Anaheim leads the season series 3-1 with L.A. so it takes any tiebreaker.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

Bruins, Red Wings on the Bubble

Will an untimely, late-season collapse prevent the Boston Bruins from making the playoffs? Their fate could be decided Thursday night (7 PM ET, NBCSN) when they host the Detroit Red Wings in a pivotal Atlantic Division clash. The Red Wings have won six of their last nine games to seize third place from Boston, who went 2-7 during the same span. This will be Game No. 81 of the regular season for both clubs.

The Bruins (41-30-8) have performed better overall than the Wings (40-28-11) this year, posting a plus-13 goal differential to Detroit's minus-11. However, Boston netminder Tuukka Rask (.915 save percentage) has been inconsistent this year, and the defense in front of him has been thinned out by lower-body injuries to Kevan Miller and Dennis Seidenberg. Both are listed as day-to-day.

Detroit (40-28-11) is making this late playoff push with Jimmy Howard (.906 SV%) taking over the No. 1 goalie spot and Petr Mrazek (.920 SV%) settling for back-up duties. This will be the second of back-to-back contests for the Wings; at press time, Howard is projected to start both games, but that could certainly change as we get closer to the opening face-off.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA: Dinero Talks Pop's GSW plight
Antony Dinero

Spurs coach faces Warriors dilemma

Gregg Popovich has the NBA by the throat this week.

He can either let his Spurs breathe and stretch their legs out in games against the Warriors, or he can choke out all the fun of what remains of the regular season by sitting out his main guys. The decision is entirely his.

Selfishly, we all want to see the Western Conference’s top heavyweights battle late Thursday and on Sunday evening, but there’s no way Popovich will allow that to happen. He’s already showed his hand against Golden State, pulling off an 87-79 win on March 19 in a dominant defensive performance where he threw caution to the wind and put his theories on how to contain Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on full display. The victory allowed San Antonio to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it can defeat the Warriors if the teams were to meet in a series, something they haven’t done since the 2013 West semifinals, a series won 4-2 by the Spurs.
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Perfect run at home worth fighting for

What we can hope for is one more clash where both teams put it all out there. From San Antonio’s standpoint, they do have something to play for on April 10 since that will be their 40th home game of the season. The Spurs have opened 39-0 at the AT&T Center, setting a single-season record, which means that wins over the Warriors and on April 12 over Oklahoma City would complete the first perfect season at home in NBA history. Of course, Popovich has already been asked about this and intimated that it means as much to him as a “cup of coffee.”

Seriously? There’s no question that the Spurs way is basically beyond reproach given the volume of success that the franchise has attained. Team goals have always been placed over individual ones, and the pursuit of a championship trumps all. While that makes sense, a perfect record at home is a team honor. In fact, it can be viewed as a reward for perhaps the best fan base in the NBA, a loyal group that has supported the Spurs religiously with a devotion few other teams enjoy. If you’ve ever been to San Antonio, that’s crystal clear. Billboards and signs remind you whose town it is at all times. Since the NFL never did make it down to the Alamodome, it’s a one-team city. The fact the team has been so remarkably effective is gravy. They would support it even if the product was mediocre.

Of course, the product is far from that, which is why Popovich shouldn’t overlook the historical aspect of what his team is on the verge of accomplishing. Because of the start the Warriors surged out to, San Antonio’s success has been largely overshadowed. The Spurs have already set a franchise-record for victories after opening 64-12. Considering all the resting Pop has done of starters, not to mention getting new franchise pillar LaMarcus Aldridge up to speed, that’s remarkable. Because the Warriors are still on the chase of the all-time wins record, San Antonio’s success has basically been ignored. Now the Spurs stand in theiway -- twice -- as Golden State needs a perfect 4-0 run to finish an NBA-record 73-9.

It’s a strange dynamic that Popovich and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr are such good friends, with the latter having played in San Antonio, winning titles in 1999 and 2003. Although Popovich has divulged that no team has kept him up trying to find ways to stop them the way Golden State has, you can take the veteran coach at his word that he wishes them no ill will. In that sense, 73 victories mean nothing to him. There’s no motivation to prevent Kerr’s Warriors from reaching that milestone. It means nothing to him.

Golden State’s own pursuit of a perfect record at home ended at the hands of Boston on Saturday night and was compounded by a second loss on Tuesday against Minnesota, so it no longer matters that the Spurs are likely to rest everyone of consequence in Oakland. Why give the Warriors any motivation, especially at home, where they already crushed the Spurs 120-90 on Jan. 25? Popovich is notorious for spoiling nationally televised games with his maintenance plans, having just done it against Oklahoma City on March 26. The Spurs lost that game 111-92 and haven’t faltered since, which means they’ve lost just three times since the All-Star break when at full strength, winning 19 times. This week’s contests should feature more rest for regulars since the Spurs will play at Utah, Golden State and Denver, places that each have unique pitfalls. The Warriors and Nuggets game come on a back-to-back, so there’s no chance San Antonio doesn’t field a depleted roster.

That brings us to April 10. The Warriors will come to town, still chasing history. The Spurs will play their 40th home game, still chasing history. Hopefully, Popovich doesn’t put on his Grinch cap, preventing one last legitimate preview of a likely Western Conference finals that is sure to be epic.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bulls (39-39) at Heat (45-32)

Date: April 07, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Chicago Bulls have plummeted from preseason championship expectations to the verge of maybe the biggest disappointment in team history.

Pushing them over the edge could be a matchup with the Miami Heat, who have clinched a playoff spot and have plenty to gain from delivering another drubbing in this series.

The Heat look to continue their push for home-court advantage in the first round by sweeping the visiting Bulls on Thursday night and crushing their slim chances.

While a 3-6 stretch has left Chicago (39-39) on the verge of missing the postseason, Miami (45-32) is in a tight race for the Nos. 3-6 spots in the Eastern Conference. The Heat sit a half-game back of Southeast Division-leading Atlanta for the third seed and they're also battling for the fourth spot, which could also deliver home court to open the playoffs.

'We want to play at home in the playoffs and that is the most important thing right now,' said point guard Goran Dragic, who had 22 points and eight assists in Tuesday's 107-89 rout of Detroit. 'We still have five games left and everything counts.'

The Heat have alternated losses and wins in the last four but are 10-2 at home and 16-8 overall since the All-Star break, when they found out Chris Bosh was again dealing with blood clot concerns.

Bosh is likely out the rest of the season, but the Heat have flourished offensively behind Dragic, Luol Deng, midseason pickup Joe Johnson and rookies Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow.

There's also Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside, of course. Wade scored 16 points against the Pistons in his return from a two-game absence with back and neck injuries, and Whiteside had 14 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, his fourth double-double in the last six games with at least those numbers.

Miami has shot at least 50 percent in 10 of the last 14 games. One was a 51.6 showing in a 118-96 win at Chicago on March 11, but that wasn't even close to its best shooting performance against the Bulls this season - a 67.5 clip in a 129-111 home win March 1. That's a team record that at the time matched the best effort in the league over the last 18 years.

Now the Heat draw a Bulls team in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. A huge blow was Tuesday's 108-92 loss to Memphis that snapped Chicago's three-game road win streak and came without Grizzlies stars Marc Gasol and Mike Conley.

"Sometimes we look like a really good team; sometimes we just look awful," guard Jimmy Butler told the team's official website. "I don't know what the basis of it is. Why? I can't answer that."

Maybe Tuesday's numbers can shed some light.

The Bulls turned the ball over 20 times, leading to 38 Memphis points, and one of the top rebounding teams in the league ended up even with the Grizzlies at 42 while allowing 12 on the offensive glass.

Derrick Rose shot 5 of 15 for 12 points after missing the previous two games with a left elbow contusion, and Butler was completely neutralized. The All-Star didn't score through three quarters and finished 2 of 8 for five points - the fifth time all season he has been held to single digits.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Suns (20-58) at Rockets (38-40)

Date: April 07, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Houston Rockets suffered a blow to their playoff hopes but all is not lost.

They have a favorable remaining schedule consisting solely of losing teams, beginning with Thursday night's home matchup with a Phoenix Suns club that has lost seven straight.

Houston (38-40) fell 88-86 at Dallas on Wednesday, falling two games behind the seventh-place Mavericks and one behind eighth-place Utah in the Western Conference playoff race. James Harden scored 26 and Dwight Howard had 14 and 16 rebounds for his 37th double-double.

'We all know how difficult it is, how important this game was,' Harden said. 'It's not rocket science."

One factor still in Houston's favor is that it holds the two-team tiebreaker over the Jazz thanks to a superior conference record, and Utah has difficult contests left with the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas. If the Jazz falter once, the Rockets can get in by sweeping their final four games and that's not unreasonable with a closing slate that also includes the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota and Sacramento.

Houston has taken seven of the last eight meetings with Phoenix, including two this season despite Harden shooting 28.6 percent and totaling 44 points. He shoots 43.4 percent and averages 28.6.

The Rockets superstar is even more dangerous in the second game of a back-to-back set, averaging a league-best 30.6 points on 44.8 percent shooting and connecting on 43.9 percent of his 3-pointers compared to his overall mark of 34.7.

Houston is 7-11 in second games of back-to-backs.

Phoenix (20-58) is headed for its worst season since winning 16 times in its inaugural 1968-69 campaign. The Suns are mired in their third-longest losing streak of the season after falling 103-90 to Atlanta on Tuesday to open a three-game trip. They built a 12-point halftime lead only to get outscored 59-34 the rest of the way.

'We were talking a lot, communicating a lot. That stopped in the second half,' rookie guard Devin Booker said. 'It's something we've been working on all year, trying to put two halves together. But I think we're getting a lot better. I think we're showing a lot of fight."

Booker matched his second-best scoring effort with 34 points after consecutive 14-point efforts in which he shot 29.7 percent. He has yet to find the range against the Rockets, shooting 26.1 percent and totaling 27 points.

The Suns are last in the league with 17.1 turnovers per game and are allowing an NBA-worst average of 20.3 points off those miscues. Houston has totaled 67 points off 45 turnovers in the season series with a 63-31 edge in fast-break points.

The Rockets, who have dropped six of nine, entered Wednesday third in the league with an average of 17.7 fast-break points. They were limited to 14 by some physical Dallas defense.

'They got very handsy, they did a very good job of keeping us out of the break,' coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. 'They smothered us in the backcourt.'

Trevor Ariza, who averages 12.5 points, was held to nine. He has been a major beneficiary on the break versus Phoenix, totaling 47 points on 55.6 percent shooting.

"We can't play to their pace, we have to play to our pace," said Ariza about being slowed down by the Mavericks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raptors (52-25) at Hawks (46-32)

Date: April 07, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Raptors are one of two Eastern Conference teams to have clinched home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. The Atlanta Hawks won't get any closer to doing the same Thursday night without finally beating them.

A near-lock to be the East's No. 2 seed, Toronto heads to Atlanta with little left to play for but could make a statement by completing a season sweep of a Hawks team that's in a crowded race for the Nos. 3 and 4 spots.

It's possible these teams will meet again in the second round of the playoffs if the Hawks (46-32) can hang on to the No. 3 seed, but Boston, Miami and Charlotte are all close on their heels. None of those teams can catch the Raptors (52-25), who have wrapped up a third straight Atlantic Division title but find Cleveland atop the East virtually out of reach.

"The only thing we do is focus on us, just us, and finishing out these last five games," forward Patrick Patterson said. "Treating them like playoff games and staying focused."

Atlanta has been better over the past month, winning 13 of 17. However, two of those losses came to the Raptors, who have won four straight and seven of eight against the Hawks. Toronto now looks to sweep this season series for the first time since taking all four meetings in 2001-02.

DeMar DeRozan averaged 28 points in last month's two wins over the Hawks and has scored at least 26 in three straight games.

DeRozan and Kyle Lowry were rested in Toronto's only loss in its past four games, 102-95 at San Antonio on Saturday. The Raptors followed with a 96-90 win over the Hornets on Tuesday as DeRozan scored 26 and Lowry added 21.

"When we are going against a playoff team that's definitely fighting for home court, you can't let up," DeRozan said.

Now Toronto goes on the road to face another one.

Atlanta has won eight of 10 at home with the most recent defeat coming in overtime to the Cavaliers on Friday. The Hawks came out flat four nights later against woeful Phoenix, needing to overcome a 13-point deficit in the third quarter to win 103-90.

'Most of our motivation was having something to fight for going into the playoffs,' said Paul Millsap, who was two assists shy of his second career triple-double. '... That's where our motivation comes from, just taking pride in who we are and what we're trying to accomplish.'

Jeff Teague had a team-high 20 points as his surge continued, averaging 23 in the past four games.

The key for the Hawks, though, remains on the defensive end. They've held their past seven opponents to a combined 40.2 percent from the field. Atlanta forced 24 turnovers, one off a season high, against the Suns and held them under 20 points in each of the final three quarters.

"Our defense has been who we are through the whole season, so that's what we gotta lean on when times get tough," Millsap said.

The Hawks are 15-2 when forcing 20 or more turnovers, but Toronto hasn't committed that many in a game in nearly three months. The Raptors have averaged 13 in three meetings with Atlanta.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Timberwolves (26-52) at Kings (31-47)

Date: April 07, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Though they'll be watching the playoffs for the 12th year in a row, the Minnesota Timberwolves just pulled off a stunning win they hope is a prelude to future success.

After playing in a key role in the upset, Karl Anthony-Towns gets his second look at All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins on Thursday night when the visiting Wolves try to sweep the season series from the Sacramento Kings for the first time.

Golden State, which had lost once in its previous 56 home games, led Minnesota by 17 points Tuesday as it tried to become the second team in NBA history to reach 70 wins. The Wolves, however, outscored the Warriors 46-31 in the fourth quarter and overtime for a 124-117 win.

Shabazz Muhammad led the Wolves (26-52) with a career-high 35 points. He had averaged 6.8 over his previous eight games and scored one in Monday's 88-78 home loss to Dallas.

"You know Bazz, when Bazz gets rolling like that, Bazz don't get tired," interim coach Sam Mitchell told the team's official website.

Andrew Wiggins scored 27 of his 32 points in the second half and OT to become the sixth player in club history to record 10 30-point games in a season. Towns, who finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, has averaged 20.5 and 11.6 while recording 13 straight double-doubles.

The Wolves, who have last year's Rookie of the Year in Wiggins and this year's favorite for the award in Towns, certainly showed glimpses of what they hope is a promising future.

"You want to go out there and win," Towns said. "Every game, you want to go out there and you want to be a very competitive team that goes out there and wins.'

He's bracing for what should be an exciting matchup with Cousins, a two-time All-Star averaging a career-high 27.1 points. Cousins returned from a two-game absence Tuesday, scoring 30 in a 115-107 home loss to Portland.

Though he isn't expected to play in any more road games, Cousins should be available for the final two at home against Minnesota and Oklahoma City. In his only meeting with the Wolves this season, he had 24 points and 12 rebounds in a 99-95 road loss Dec. 18.

Towns scored 15 in that contest and was held to seven in a 101-91 road win over the Kings on Nov. 27, but led the way with 26 points and 11 boards in a 113-104 home victory March 23.

Wiggins has averaged 26.5 points in six career meetings with Sacramento (31-47) for his highest mark against any Western Conference opponent.

The Kings have been dominated on the glass with a minus-10.3 rebounding margin in the series. That was also a problem Tuesday when they were outrebounded 49-34 by Portland.

"I think those rebounds caught up to us," said guard Seth Curry, who has scored 18.3 per game while going 9 for 16 from beyond the arc over his last three.

Rajon Rondo matched a career high with his sixth triple-double Tuesday, finishing with a season-high 27 points, 12 assists and 10 boards. The veteran point guard has averaged 17.3 points, 13.7 assists and 5.3 boards in the three meetings with Minnesota.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Spurs (65-12) at Warriors (69-9)

Date: April 07, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The margin of error is gone.

If the Golden State Warriors want to break Chicago's single-season wins record of 72, they must win their final four games starting with Thursday night's showdown at home against San Antonio.

The bigger priority down the stretch is securing the top seed in the Western Conference, which can be done with a combination of two Warriors wins or Spurs losses, and getting their game back in top form for the start of the postseason next week.

With two losses in their past three home games, a recent uptick in turnovers and a loss of defensive intensity, the grinding NBA season is finally showing signs of taking its toll on the Warriors (69-9).

'It's a miracle that we've gone this far without hitting a bump in the road,' coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday. 'This is to be expected. Every team goes through it. It's just probably surprising for people out there and maybe even our own guys because this season has maybe come too easy for us.'

The past weeks have gotten tougher with Tuesday night's 124-117 overtime loss to Minnesota being Golden State's fourth loss in the past month after falling just five times in the first four months of the season.

Despite that, the Warriors can break Chicago's record of 72 wins set in 1995-96 by beating the Spurs (65-12) on Thursday night, sweeping a weekend road trip to Memphis and San Antonio and then winning the season finale at home against the depleted Grizzlies next Wednesday.

'The record is great,' center Andrew Bogut said. 'We'll obviously have balloons and celebrate for a good five-minute period if we get it. Then you have a playoff series to win and a championship to try to win. In the grand scheme of things it's small potatoes.'

The pressure of chasing the record has been on the Warriors ever since they opened the season by winning the first 24 games. Everywhere they go this season they have faced increased media attention, opponents excited for the opportunity to knock off the league's top team and comparisons to the great teams of the past like those record-setting Bulls.

Draymond Green said the talk has been impossible to escape since it hits him every time he opens his phone. But reigning MVP Stephen Curry said the attention shouldn't be viewed as a hindrance since many of the players have openly talked about wanting to set the mark.

'It can't be an excuse that we put ourselves in this situation and now it's draining us to finish,' Curry said. 'I think we're mature enough and have enough of an edge to get it done. We just have to figure it out.'

Possibly dampening the excitement for the two upcoming showdowns with the Spurs are questions about how seriously San Antonio will take the games. Coach Gregg Popovich frequently rests veterans like Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan down the stretch and he has not said how he will approach these two contests.

The Warriors plan to go all out Thursday when they can clinch home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with a victory. Kerr said he doesn't know how he will approach the final three games but he does want to give playing time to key reserves Andre Iguodala and Festus Ezeli, who both recently returned from injuries.

'The fact is they rest a lot of people but they need more rest than we do,' Kerr said. 'Their core is older than ours. He's been the master of this for a long time. He knows exactly what he's doing with his team. We're not too concerned about what they do. We're just trying to play better ourselves.'

The Spurs are downplaying the upcoming games, saying a win at Oracle Arena on Thursday will not give them a psychological edge if the teams do meet again in the Western Conference finals.

'I don't think about it like that, playoffs are a different game,' forward Kawhi Leonard said. 'We don't even know if we will see each other in the playoffs so we will just go out and try to make our team better going into the playoffs.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA notebook: Hawks' Sefolosha sues police in NY incident
By The Sports Xchange

Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha filed a civil suit on Wednesday against five New York City police officers over an arrest last year that left him with a broken leg.
On April 8, 2015, Sefolosha was outside a Manhattan nightclub with Hawks teammate Pero Antic when officers claimed the two were interfering with a crime scene.
Police arrested Sefolosha, who sustained a broken fibula while being handcuffed, and Antic. A Manhattan jury found Sefolosha not guilty of all charges in October.
The 31-year-old Sefolosha, a 10-year NBA veteran, missed the rest of the regular season and the Hawks' playoff run to the conference finals due to the injury.
Sefolosha's lawsuit accuses the five arresting officers and the city of false arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment. Sefolosha's notice of claim, filed last year, sets $50 million as the ceiling he can be compensated for both material and punitive damages, according to ESPN.com.
Antic filed his own suit against the police officers and the city. Under Antic's notice of claim, $25 million was set as the maximum amount Antic can recover.

--New York Knicks president Phil Jackson is pushing to make Kurt Rambis the team's permanent head coach, according to reports.
Sources told ESPN.com that Rambis, who has served as the Knicks' interim head coach since Derek Fisher was fired on Feb. 8, is the preferred choice of Jackson.
Despite Rambis going 8-16 since the coaching change, Jackson wants to give him a new multiyear deal, according to the report.
Rambis, 58, has a longstanding relationship with Jackson.

--The Chicago Bulls named Horace Grant as a special advisor to the team's president and chief operating officer.
As an NBA Goodwill Ambassador for six years, Grant has appeared on behalf of the league more than 85 times in 14 countries, including China, Brazil, Spain, Mozambique and the Philippines. He will continue to work with the NBA and represent the league internationally.
Grant, 50, joins Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc as special advisors to Bulls president and COO Michael Reinsdorf. Grant's new role begins in October.

--The Brooklyn Nets signed center Henry Sims for the remainder of the season.
The 6-foot-10, 248-pound Sims, 26, was originally signed to the first of two 10-day contracts on March 17. He has appeared in nine games (two starts) with the Nets, averaging 6.0 points and 4.4 rebounds in 17.1 minutes per game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds: Thursday, April 7 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

OK, Gregg Popovich. You are clearly one of the best coaches in NBA history and a future Hall of Famer. You obviously know much better than I do when to rest your players or not. But, please, please, don't do it Thursday night when the Spurs visit the Warriors, who are looking for regular-season win No. 70, two shy of the Bulls' league record. But knowing Popovich, he's not going to play the likes of Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. He already has hinted as much and it frankly does the Spurs franchise no good to stop the Warriors' quest for 73 wins. I wish the NBA could step in here and do something, but clearly the league's hands are tied. Do you think Michael Jordan would have taken a game like that off? No chance. I have no problem with Pop resting his guys Friday in Denver. San Antonio is then off until the Warriors visit on Sunday. Pop I think will play his guys there to try for the perfect home record this season. Let's hope he does Thursday too.

Raptors at Hawks (-3.5, 201)

Toronto beat Charlotte 96-90 on Tuesday. DeMar DeRozan had 26 points and Kyle Lowry 21. Lowry showed no ill effects from attending Villanova's national title game win in Houston the night before and getting back home around 5 a.m. Lowry of course starred at Nova. Atlanta beat Phoenix 103-90 on Tuesday, rallying from a 13-point third quarter-hole. Paul Millsap had 17 rebounds, 13 points and a game-high eight assists. Toronto is 3-0 vs. Atlanta this season and just won by eight at home on March 30. The Raptors also have won three in a row in Georgia.

Key trends: The favorite is 6-2 against the spread in the past eight meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in eight of Atlanta's past 11 at home.

Early lean: Hawks as they still have the No. 3 seed to play for, while Raptors have no reason to play everyone.

Bulls at Heat (-5, 205.5)

First game of a TNT doubleheader and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Chicago is on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention after a terrible 108-92 loss at injury-ravaged Memphis on Tuesday. Derrick Rose returned from a two-game absence and had 12 points and eight assists. Jimmy Butler was scoreless through three quarters and finished with five points. Taj Gibson sat again and you won't see him here. Miami beat Detroit 107-89 on Tuesday, doing the Bulls a temporary favor. Goran Dragic had 22 points and Dwyane Wade, who was a game-time call, had 16 points. Miami leads the season series 3-0. The Heat have swept the Bulls just once before, in 2003-04.

Key trends: The Bulls are 1-4 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 6-2 in the past eight.

Early lean: Heat -- as long as Wade goes; ditto Hassan Whiteside, who didn't practice on Wednesday due to a thigh injury -- and under.

Suns at Rockets (-13, 217)

Phoenix dropped a seventh straight Tuesday, 103-90 in Atlanta. One bright spot this season has been the play of rookie Devin Booker and he had 34 points in the loss. Phoenix will have a nice backcourt with Booker, Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe when those latter two return from injury next season. Perhaps Booker makes one expendable, however. Houston was in Dallas on Wednesday in a huge game. Houston leads Phoenix 2-0 this season and has won seven of the past eight. Both teams have scored at least 100 points in seven of the past eight meetings.

Key trends: The Rockets are 6-2 ATS in the past eight meetings. The over is 4-1 in the previous five.

Early lean: Houston will expend a lot of energy on Wednesday, win or loss. Take the points here. Go over.

Timberwolves at Kings (-5, 223.5)

Minnesota pulled an absolute shocker in Oakland on Tuesday night, 124-117 in overtime, to end a three-game losing streak. Shabazz Muhammad scored a career-high 35 points, Andrew Wiggins had 32 and Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points, 12 rebounds. Minnesota never led after the first quarter until overtime. Sacramento lost 115-107 at home to Portland on Tuesday. DeMarcus Cousins had 30 points and nine rebounds for the Kings. Rajon Rondo had his sixth triple-double with a season-high 27 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. George Karl rested Darren Collison, Kosta Koufos and Rudy Gay. Minnesota leads the series 3-0 and is looking for its first season sweep ever vs. Sacramento.

Key trends: The Wolves are 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 11-4 in Minnesota's past 15 after a win.

Early lean: Really like Sacramento if all the Kings regulars play, but I'm not sure they will. How are the Wolves not going to suffer a massive letdown?

Spurs at Warriors (TBA)

Second TNT game and will have live betting at sportsbooks. San Antonio played everyone but Boris Diaw (out two more games) on Tuesday in Utah and won 88-86 for its fourth straight victory. Leonard made the go-ahead jumper with 4.9 seconds and gave Duncan his 1,000th career regular-season win. The only other players with 1,000 are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Parish but they did it with multiple teams. I have no explanation for Golden State's 124-117 overtime home loss to Minnesota on Tuesday. That was more stunning in some ways than the loss at the Lakers a few weeks ago. The Warriors had won 114 consecutive games (including playoffs) in which they had at least a 15-point lead at any time in a game. Draymond Green admitted after the team is tired and bored at this point and wants the regular season over. Now the Warriors have to win all four remaining to pass the Bulls' record. This will be the best matchup in NBA history at this stage of a season as measured by winning percentage. The previous highest combined winning percentage for opponents at least 65 games into a season was .816 (120-27) when the Bulls and Magic played on April 7, 1996. San Antonio and Golden State have split two games this season, each winning impressively at home. The Warriors won theirs at home by 30 on Jan. 25.

Key trends: The home team is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The under is 4-0 in the previous four.

Early lean: Warriors, who are trying to become the first team to not have back-to-back losses in a season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Spurs-Warriors in Western Finals Warm-Up'

The top two teams in the NBA will lock horns Thursday night (10:30 PM ET, TNT) when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Golden State Warriors. There isn't a lot of motivation for the Spurs (65-12 SU, 43-34 ATS) in this matchup, but the Warriors (69-9 SU, 42-34-2 ATS) are still trying to break the regular-season record of 72 wins set by the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls.

These two teams have split a pair of games straight up and against the spread this year, with the home team winning both times. However, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn't start Tim Duncan (17.2 PER) in either contest. There's every chance Popovich will sit Duncan again for the rubber match. San Antonio is cruising toward the playoffs in a lower gear at 5-1 SU and 1-5 ATS over the past six games.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have been struggling to meet market expectations during their Quest for 73. They're 7-3 SU and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games, starting with their 79-87 loss in San Antonio as 4.5-point road dogs. Turnovers have been a problem lately; the Dubs coughed up the ball 23 times in Tuesday's 117-124 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Thursday 4/7 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool


20-CENT PICK 5: 3,4/1,6,9,10/3,6/5,6,10/4,8 = $19.20

EARLY PICK 4: 5,6,10/4,8/1,2,7/1,6,7 = $54

LATE PICK 4: 1,6,7/6,9/1,2,5,6/2,3,7 = $72

FINAL WOODBINE MEET STATS: 334 - 1058 / $1749.10 BEST BETS: 54 - 99 / $196.20

SPOT PLAYS: 22 - 98 / $225.20

Best Bet: WINDSONG MAGIC (8th)

Spot Play: CHEEKIE (4th)


Race 1

(3) LEVY TAYLORE was raced aggressively last week and hung around to finish 2nd to a strong winner. He retains Henry, who will likely be sending him again here. (4) HIGH RESOLUTION moves up after beating claimers, but has improved rapidly the past couple of starts and this field isn't that tough. (6) TEA WITH MS MCGILL is capable of better and should go off at a higher price here.

Race 2

(6) RUSTY HEFNER has raced well twice in a row and Filion stays. He should be up close throughout here. (10) MARCH continues to show good speed but can't finish off a mile for a win. One of these times she will meet a field she can beat. (9) JAGERSRO is getting closer and this field isn't that tough. He should make the ticket.

Race 3

(3) SOUTHWIND ALICE faces much easier here and could take these right down the road. (6) TOWNLINE MOMMA finished much better last week and will likely be asked to leave harder for position here. (5) NOTROUBLE DECHAFRA set the pace but couldn't hold on late. He is likely better off a covered trip, which could be in the cards here.

Race 4

(5) CHEEKIE took her life's mark at Mohawk last year and should be tough dropping into a conditioned claimer here. (6) CASIMIR LUCKY LADY was racing well in similar classes at Flamboro and likely gets sent hard early here; using. (10) PRINCESS KATIE drops to face much easier and has to be considered, even from post 10.

Race 5

(8) THE BIG MUSCLE has raced well in both starts this year and should be right there again. (4) BALLYKEEEL BOMBER was a sharp winner two back then had some issues last time. If he can race to that March 24 start, he will be tough here. (1) WANAKA always looks good on paper but has developed some bad hanging tendencies in deep stretch. I'll play to beat her at a short price here.

Race 6

(6) LIKEAVIRGIN was a sharp winner in the slop two back and with rain in the forecast, we could see more of the same here. (2) LUMIERE has been sharp in both starts for Laroque since the claim; using. (1) THEBESTOFME could threaten late off a following trip here if he gets room in time. Toss him in at a price.

Race 7

(7) LUCKY COCKTAIL goes first off the claim for Pereira here and is sure to get an aggressive steer. (1) CLASSIC COMEDY tired late last week and could look for a covered trip as a result. She could rebound with the right trip. (6) CAUGHT ME SPEEDING is another that should be close early. The pocket-sitter could easily end up winning this.

Race 8

(9) WINDSONG MAGIC moves into Bax's barn and gets MacDonell to drive. Those are significant changes; top call. (6) APRIL BREEZE ON BY also gets a major driver change and is the one to fear. (8) ASTERIX moves up off a sharp win and should get a piece of this.

Race 9

(2) TREASURED MOMENTS has knocked about a second off her final quarters in four straight starts. You have to think Drury will put her into the race earlier here. (6) WHISPER WELL was 2nd to a strong winner last week. She looks like a must-use in the late Pick 4. (5) ROCKNROLL VISION had a nightmarish trip last time. She should go better here starting from the middle of the gate.

Race 10

(7) MYSTIC DEUCE was a sharp 2nd to a blowout winner in his first start for Fellows. He is one of several that can take the finale. (3) BEIBER HANOVER faces much easier and will likely try to take these all the way. (2) GOODMORNINGMISTER was too far back last time but was closing well late. He can take this if close enough turning home. (4) H P BLACK SHADOW usually shares but needs a perfect trip to win it seems. (6) LITTLE TURK will be passing many of these late for a share.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Thursday 4/7 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF HARNESS


Race 7 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool ($2,599.79 C/O)

MEET STATS: 90 - 360 / $612.50

BEST BETS: 11 - 40 / $41.00

Best Bet: SUMMER SNOW (4th)

Spot Play: HANDS OFF FRANK (10th)


Race 1

(3) OR gets serious post relief and has fine late punch. He has every right to return to his winning ways, mowing these down. (5) ART FOR ARTS SAKE did not fire in his last try but that was against better; threat at this level. (8) ARTHUR has good early zip. Post hurts, but he is very capable against this group.

Race 2

(2) TAPIT blasted from the 8-hole and was sitting in the pocket most of the way but tired in the stretch drive while holding on for show money last out. Trotting mare has hit the board in 6 of 8 starts this year and has proven she can get the job done; must be considered. (7) LUCKY COLBY put in a nice effort against tougher and appears to be the main danger. (4) FOX VALLEY STEFFEN was sent by Bartlett down the road last out for all the glory.

Race 3

(3) AMERICAN ALIVE just lost the victory by only 3/4 of a length. Mare did get the job done on March 17th and she figures to be heading in the right direction. (1) MISS ALI MACH N closed well to nail down the show spot in her most recent outing. (2) DEREK DELIGHT should make some noise moving back inside.

Race 4

(2) SUMMER SNOW has put in two good starts in a row and this gal seems to be in fine form; big threat to boss these. (1) JUST SAYIN did not have the best of trips last out but this mare could make a quick turnaround. (5) KAMWOOD LAUGHTER N led most of the way but did not have enough gas in the tank and could only hold on for the place spot recently.

Race 5

(1) SENTIMENTAL LADY is knocking at the door based on her last two trips to the post. Moves back to the fence where she just missed the score by a neck. (2) NIPPY W HANOVER closed strongly outside and wore down Summer Snow in her last try; major player. (5) KIDDIE MCCARDLE figures to be right in the swing of things as she closed nicely for the show spot last out.

Race 6

(3) BIG BAD BOSSMAN raced evenly for fourth money last time around. Gelding appears to have good speed and with a well rated drive he could top these at his best. (5) SHARK FANTASY was on the engine most of the way but was caught at the wire in his last start; must be considered. (7) STONEBRIDGE TONIC had good cover and mowed them down for all the marbles in his latest.

Race 7

(6) CHERRY BLISS put in a very good run outside and just lost the victory by only a neck. Mare is knocking at the door and has every right to greet the cameraman for pictures tonight. (3) CANACO STAR gets post relief and that might help her cause; we shall see. (2) ROCK MY WORLD did not race badly in her most recent outing and could have a say in the outcome.

Race 8

(3) LYONS SHADOW was on the rim approaching the 3/4 pole and grabbed the lead turning for home, but did not have anything left in deep stretch last out. Now this mare could make a quick turnaround if given a favorable trip. (2) NORTHERN BEAUTY was second best in the Petticoat series last time around and could be right in the hunt. (1) HERETIC FRANCO N is quite speedy and this might be a better spot for her; not out of this.

Race 9

(2) NASSAU COUNTY showed a good late kick in his last start. Now this gelding moves to the 2-hole. He has three seconds this year and if Zeron gets the right kind of trip, he could mow these down for win honors. (4) INTHENAMEOFJAMES is back at the $25k claiming ranks and that could help his chances in here; threat. (8) SIGN TO INVERELL A got the job done down the road last out; post hurts, but very capable.

Race 10

(2) HANDS OFF FRANK was flashing good speed in his last start. He now moves back up in class off that outing, but he seems to be capable of making tonight a winning one; we shall see. (4) ROCKSTAR STRIDE was on his way to victory but was nailed by a pocket-rocket move from R Caan last week. (1) R CANN is on a roll scoring his second straight victory; dangerous.

Race 11

I'll go with the Saratoga invader (3) TWISTED PRETZEL. Gelding has been very good at his base with two straight victories and figures to get a favorable trip; big shot for the hat trick. (6) JUSTICE JET was late on the scene to nail down the score at Pocono last out. (8) UNDERCOVER STRIKE went down the road for victory last time around. Post does hurt but he could contend with these.

Race 12

(3) ROCKAROUND SUE gets class relief in the finale and she was a very game second two trips ago. She can boss these at her best. (1) BETTOR CHILL OUT has the best of the draw and did race quite well at the Meadowlands; threat. (4) RD IOU leaves the 6-hole for door number 4; could be an exotics factor.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Thursday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Aqueduct (2nd) Wizardly, 7-2
(7th) Narvaez, 7-2


Charles Town (2nd) By His Word, 4-1
(7th) Amazing Bolt, 9-2


Evangeline Downs (3rd) Pep Last Dream, 6-1
(5th) Friend of Indy, 5-1


Golden Gate Fields (4th) Sharp Dressed Gal, 3-1
(7th) Golden Dynamo, 8-1


Gulfstream Park (4th) Skippy Is Back, 7-2
(7th) Indygita, 4-1


Hawthorne (4th) Poker Player, 7-2
(7th) Lady Dozer, 6-1


Lone Star Park (1st) Solar Change, 8-1
(5th) Girl's Rule, 8-1


Oaklawn Park (6th) Springandaprayer, 3-1
(9th) Wingate Hall, 3-1


Penn National (6th) Coming Up Rosie, 4-1
(8th) Promotora, 5-1


Santa Anita (6th) Audra, 3-1
(8th) Esmeralda Belle, 7-2