Tuesday 4/5/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[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 - - -
4/6 3 - - -
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

Colorado at Nashville & San Jose at Minnesota, Tuesday: I'm pairing these two games because the Avalanche and Wild are battling for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Minnesota has a five-point lead over the Avs, who have a game in hand. The Wild could have clinched Sunday but laid an egg in Winnipeg in dropping their third straight game. They would have to lose this game and Saturday at home vs. Calgary and the Avs win two of their final three for Colorado to get in. The Avalanche finish up at Dallas and home to Anaheim. So I don't see them winning each of those. Colorado is a +185 underdog against the Predators and the Wild are -123 favorites over the Sharks. Both Nashville and San Jose have clinched playoff spots.

Philadelphia at Detroit, Wednesday: This game is on the NBC Sports Network. Neither the Flyers nor Red Wings have clinched a playoff spot yet. Detroit has made the playoffs 24 straight seasons, easily the longest active streak in the four major American pro sports. As of Monday, the Wings hold a one-point lead over Boston for third in the Atlantic Division. The third-place team is automatically in. The Flyers hold the final wild-card spot with 90 points, but that's just one more than Boston, which is the first team out. Philly has won two one-goal games vs. the Wings this season. Detroit then has another big one Thursday in Boston before closing at the Rangers. Philly finishes vs. Toronto, vs. Pittsburgh and Sunday at the Islanders.

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]

Injuries and motivation are keys to NBA betting in the final weeks of the regular season
By BIG AL MCMORDIE

When the NBA schedule resumes Tuesday, there will be just nine game days left in the season. I don't think anyone thought, when the season started, that the Warriors would win 73 games. But they've been brilliant the entire season, and I can't see them losing another. Minnesota and Memphis don't have the talent to defeat a motivated Warriors team. The Spurs do, but it's doubtful coach Gregg Popovich will give many minutes to his best players in either of their two remaining games vs. Golden State. Of course, there's still lots of jockeying left in the race for the Playoffs, so let's take a look at the upcoming games.

Spread Watch

The Utah Jazz are in a dogfight with Dallas and Houston for the last two Playoff spots in the Western Conference. Just one game separates the three teams and, barring a complete collapse by the 41-36 Memphis Grizzlies, only two of the Jazz, Mavericks and Rockets will reach the post-season. The Jazz have won and covered 10 of their last 13 games. Their 3 losses: in overtime to Golden State; at Oklahoma City (without rest); and at Chicago. After Sunday's blowout of Phoenix, the Jazz are now 8-0 ATS their last eight games as a favorite. Utah will be favored to win at least four of its last five games (and possibly all five, should Popovich decide to rest the Spurs' best players on Tuesday). I really like the Jazz on Friday against the Clippers. Utah will be playing with revenge from a 5-point home loss to Los Angeles back in December. And the Clips are a dreadful 3-15 ATS their last 18 games against revenge-minded foes.

Total Watch

The New York Knicks have played their last six games 'Under' the total, and are 18-6 'Under' the total since Kurt Rambis succeeded Derek Fisher as head coach. A big reason for this is New York's pace of play. For the season, the Knicks rank in the bottom five in pace (93.4). As their season winds toward a close, the Knicks' offensive production might take a hit. Last week, Carmelo Anthony (21.9 ppg), Robin Lopez (10.2 ppg) and Jose Calderon (7.5 ppg) suggested to Rambis that he decrease their minutes in favor of giving more time to the team's younger players. Rambis played Anthony just 25 minutes in Friday's game vs. Brooklyn, and then gave him the entire night off Sunday vs. Indiana. Rookie Kristaps Porzingis (14.3 ppg) also missed the last two games, and could be held out of the Knicks' final four games. New York's game at Philadelphia, on Friday, looks to be a great candidate to sail 'Under' the total, as the Sixers have gone 'Under' in six of their last seven games.

Injury Watch

Kyrie Irving sprained his ankle in Friday night's overtime win at Atlanta. Irving missed Sunday's game vs. Charlotte (a 112-103 Cleveland victory), and it's unclear how long he will be sidelined. Irving is averaging 19.5 ppg and 4.6 apg, so his production is critical for the Cavaliers as they make their push for the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. This season, the Cavaliers are 20-8 straight-up, but 12-15-1 ATS with Irving off the court. Their game Wednesday, at Indiana, looks especially problematic if Irving is out. Cleveland will be playing that game without rest, as it will be in Milwaukee on Tuesday, while Indiana will have had the previous two days off. Moreover, the Pacers will be playing with revenge from three losses suffered to the Cavs earlier this season. All of this spells trouble for Cleveland, as revengers have gone 58-37 ATS in the final five games of a season since 1991, if they played with at least two more days' of rest than their foe.

Schedule Watch

When the NBA regular season enters its final days, most players have their eyes either on the playoffs or the golf course. So, one of the things I try to do at the end of a season is find games where the players might not be fully focused. A good place to start is the schedule. For example, unrested teams that are playing their fourth game in five nights are especially bad, at Game 77 forward, against rested opponents. Since 1991, they've covered just 28 of 85 games! This upcoming Saturday, the New Orleans Pelicans will host the Phoenix Suns and it will be New Orleans' fourth game in five nights, while Phoenix will be rested following its game, at Houston, on Thursday. It's true that the Suns are currently mired in a six-game losing streak (and likely eight games, by the time they reach New Orleans), but my money will still be on the underdog Suns in this contest.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pelicans (29-47) at 76ers (9-68)

Date: April 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

There may be a paucity of NBA-caliber players on the court Tuesday night in Philadelphia, but the 76ers won't complain if they avoid league infamy.

They stand to have a decent shot at finally notching their 10th victory if they can end their 12-game slide while facing the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans.

It's more notable who isn't available for these teams than who is. The Pelicans' lengthy injury list includes Anthony Davis (left knee), Ryan Anderson (sports hernia), Tyreke Evans (right knee), Eric Gordon (fractured right ring finger), Jrue Holiday (right inferior orbital wall fracture) and Norris Cole (lower back).

Philadelphia (9-68) is without rookie Jahlil Okafor because of a knee injury while Nerlens Noel has missed six straight games with a right knee contusion and Richaun Holmes four in a row with a right Achilles tendon strain. In addition, Hollis Thompson was a late scratch for Saturday's 115-102 defeat to Indiana with an upper-respiratory infection.

There's plenty on the line for the 76ers, who need one victory in their last five games to avoid matching the 1972-73 Philadelphia club for the worst full-season record in NBA history.

They showed plenty of fight against the playoff-contending Pacers, leading by two with 4:38 left before being outscored 19-4. Philadelphia had 17 turnovers after averaging 11 in its previous five games; it averages 16.6 for the Eastern Conference's worst mark.

"The turnovers got the better of us," coach Brett Brown said. "I think we've been doing a good job lately caring for the ball."

Isaiah Canaan scored 24 and Jerami Grant added 20 for Philadelphia in the opener of a four-game homestand that could be promising. The 76ers host two more non-playoff teams in New York and Milwaukee in their quest to avoid ignominy.

'Perhaps it gets a little deflating, but our guys are still there," Brown said. 'We will see everybody soon, and we will play hard like we did tonight, when we see New Orleans."

One player who may have extra incentive is guard Ish Smith, who was traded by the Pelicans (29-47) to the Sixers on Dec. 24. He scored 12 in Philadelphia's 121-114 loss at New Orleans on Feb. 19.

The Pelicans also have plenty of fringe NBA players trying to make a name for themselves down the stretch. Point guard Tim Frazier had career highs of 19 points and 13 assists in Sunday's 106-87 win at Brooklyn.

Frazier, who spent part of last season as a rookie with the Sixers, is averaging 13.6 points in 10 games with New Orleans.

'I think Tim Frazier has done a really good job,' coach Alvin Gentry said. 'That's a tough position to play, but I think he's been really good at what he's done.'

The Pelicans seek their first three-game win streak since Jan. 19-23. Luke Babbitt has totaled 43 points in the last two games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hornets (44-32) at Raptors (51-25)

Date: April 05, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

A loss by the Charlotte Hornets guaranteed the Toronto Raptors a top-two seed in the Eastern Conference.

That same defeat dropped the Hornets to sixth place, and there is still plenty to be ironed out on their end in the season's final week and a half.

While the Raptors continue to prepare for a first-round playoff series that will start north of the border, the banged-up Hornets are hoping to jump back into position to secure their own home start when two of the East's hottest teams since the All-Star break meet in Toronto on Tuesday night.

With six games left and Cleveland holding a 3 1/2-game lead atop the East, Toronto (51-25) has started looking ahead to the postseason.

Coach Dwane Casey opted to rest DeMar DeRozan, and Kyle Lowry sat with an elbow injury in Saturday's 102-95 loss at San Antonio, relaying a message that healthy and rested players is more important than home-court advantage should the Raptors meet the Cavaliers in the conference finals.

Even with two All-Stars and a combined 45.2 points, 10.5 assists and 9.2 rebounds on the bench, the Atlantic Division winners put up a fight against the Spurs, who haven't lost at home in nearly a calendar year.

Rookie Norman Powell finished one point shy of his career high with 17, and Jonas Valanciunas and Cory Joseph added 16 apiece.

"I loved the fight. l loved the spirit," Casey told the team's official website. "The young guys came in and competed. You're talking about a potential championship team right there (in the Spurs) from top to bottom. We didn't back down."

Make no mistake, Toronto's championship chances hinge on DeRozan and Lowry, who are expected back in the lineup Tuesday when the Raptors try to improve on their 29-9 record at Air Canada Centre.

DeRozan totaled 54 points as Toronto split the first two games against Charlotte, and Lowry had 38, 18 assists and 10 rebounds.

The Hornets (44-32) pulled out a 109-99 overtime home victory Dec. 17 behind Jeremy Lin's season-high 35 points and Kemba Walker's 27, but the Raptors won 104-94 in Toronto on Jan. 1 for their third victory in the last four games of this series.

Al Jefferson did not play in either matchup and Nicolas Batum missed the first. Jefferson sat out Sunday's 112-103 loss at Cleveland with a bruised thigh, and Batum did not return after spraining his knee in the first half.

Batum ranks second on the team behind Walker with 15.2 points per game, and coach Steve Clifford said he will be cautious with him down the stretch.

"It's not the time of year to be messing with it," Clifford said. "I don't think it will be anything long term, but we need him healthy. The priority will be him getting back to 100 percent before he plays again."

Charlotte is in a tight race in the Southeast, tied with Miami a half-game back of Atlanta. After Clifford congratulated his team for clinching a playoff berth during a shootaround early Sunday, the Hornets' loss later in the day dropped them from the No. 3 seed all the way back to sixth.

Walker scored 21 of his 29 in the second half and Marvin Williams added 22, though Charlotte's three-game win streak ended with just its sixth loss in the last 26 games.

Four of the Hornets' final six are away from home, where they've already played five of the last six. They're 4-2 during that stretch but just 16-21 on the road all season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pistons (41-36) at Heat (44-32)

Date: April 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Stan Van Gundy isn't usually a coach who shies away from telling it exactly like it is, but it's hard not to look at his take on the Detroit Pistons' playoff hopes as slightly pessimistic.

Barring a collapse, his team is headed for its first postseason appearance in seven years.

That could become a reality by the time the Pistons finish a back-to-back in South Florida, though the Miami Heat will surely have something to say about Tuesday night's first stop as they continue to fight for home-court advantage.

Detroit (41-36) didn't wrap up its first playoff trip since 2008-09 on Saturday in Chicago, but it made things a whole lot easier on itself heading into the final five games. The starters, who provide a league-high 74.9 percent of the Pistons' points, had all but 11 at the United Center in a 94-90 victory over the ninth-place Bulls.

Van Gundy's team is tied with Indiana for the seventh and eighth spots, and while Detroit would lose a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Pacers, Saturday's win gave it the edge on Chicago along with a magic number of three.

"You like being ahead, but until we're in, I'm not the least bit comfortable," the coach told the team's official website. "The way this season has gone? It's up and down. And look who we have to play now."

A visit to Orlando on Wednesday will conclude the Pistons' 19th back-to-back of the season - no team will play more times on consecutive days than their 20 - and with the Bulls traveling to Memphis that night, Detroit could return home as a playoff team should these three results go its way.

"There's nothing easy and we've still got to get more wins," Van Gundy said after Saturday's victory. "I'm happy tonight with the win. It would've been a lot harder with a loss. In fact, it would've been a real uphill battle with a loss. So am I happy tonight? Yeah. But by (Sunday), no. I won't be the least bit comfortable. (Sunday), I'll be grumpy again."

The Heat (44-32) have the Pistons to thank for clinching a spot in the playoffs Saturday - the win in Chicago punched Miami's ticket - but they went out and played like a team with little motivation to wrap up a 1-2 road trip with a 110-93 loss to Portland.

'With this organization, we always have big expectations, that doesn't change from year to year,' coach Erik Spoelstra said. 'So, getting over that hurdle does mean something to us, but we still have more that we're working on for right now and that's really what we're focused on."

Dwyane Wade missed the final two games on the trip with back and neck injuries suffered in Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, though he said he was feeling better prior to the game in Portland.

Miami still has plenty to play for as part of a four-team cluster separated by a half-game that's battling for the third and fourth spots in the Eastern Conference.

Assuming Wade plays, the Heat could certainly use more than he gave them in the first two games this season against Detroit. Wade was held to two points in a 104-81 loss Nov. 25 - his lowest total ever in at least 20 minutes - and then shot 8 of 21 in a 93-92 home defeat Dec. 22.

A chunk of the credit for those wins goes to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope despite an ugly 7-for-28 shooting line. He hit the winning 3-pointer in the final minute of the December victory, and held Heat players to 6-of-24 shooting between the two games when he was the primary defender - which he often was on Wade.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Suns (20-57) at Hawks (45-32)

Date: April 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

After their momentum was halted by back-to-back losses to the Eastern Conference's top teams, the Atlanta Hawks are looking to regroup in what appears to be a less-challenging matchup.

However, nothing came easy when they last faced the lowly Phoenix Suns.

Kent Bazemore says he'll play Tuesday night when the host Hawks try resume their push for the third seed and avoid their longest skid in six weeks.

X-rays were negative after Bazemore suffered a left wrist injury in Friday's 110-108 overtime home loss to Cleveland. The starting forward, who finished with seven points and 12 rebounds, said he's sore but won't miss any playing time.

Atlanta soared into the third spot with a 14-3 surge but slid back into a tie with Boston for that seed with Wednesday's 105-97 loss at second-place Toronto and Friday's defeat, in which the club's rally from a 21-point deficit fell short.

'Obviously, those games kind of gauge where you're at and we lost them both,' said guard Kyle Korver, who had 14 points and four 3-pointers against the Cavaliers.

Among four teams separated by a half-game between third and sixth place, Atlanta (45-32) has an opportunity to regain sole possession of third Tuesday before taking on the Raptors, Celtics and Cavaliers in its next three.

Finishing third could be crucial since the Hawks wouldn't have to face a Cleveland team that has beaten them six straight times - including last postseason - until a potential conference finals rematch.

Atlanta, which hasn't lost three in a row since Feb. 19-22, also has a half-game lead over Miami and Charlotte in the Southeast as it tries to win back-to-back division titles for the first time since a four-year run from 1957-61, when the team played in St. Louis.

After totaling 18 points in his previous two games, Paul Millsap bounced back to score a season-high 29 on Friday. He did not play Jan. 23, when Archie Goodwin finished with 24 and made a 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds left to give Phoenix a 98-95 victory.

Atlanta will have to keep the Suns (20-57) off the glass in this contest after they held a 52-43 rebounding advantage in the first meeting. Tyson Chandler pulled down a franchise record-tying 27 boards, while Alex Len had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Chandler had 21 points and 18 boards in Phoenix's sixth consecutive defeat Sunday, 101-86 to visiting Utah. He's averaged 15 points and 15.3 rebounds in posting three consecutive double-doubles and has averaged 23 boards in his last three against Atlanta.

"It's about going out there and getting better," Chandler said.

Mirza Teletovic has provided a spark for the banged-up Suns by averaging 18.8 points in his last six games. Brandon Knight has been ruled out for the season due to a sports hernia, while Jon Leuer is likely to miss his third straight due to a right ankle sprain.

'I can't live with myself putting our players at risk for further injury just to secure a job,' interim coach Earl Watson said.

Atlanta's Jeff Teague has heated up by averaging 24 points in his last three games, but he's averaged 11 and 35.9 percent shooting in his past three against Phoenix.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bulls (39-38) at Grizzlies (41-36)

Date: April 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

It's been eight years since the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls both missed the postseason, but that's the direction both former defensive-minded clubs could be headed.

Injuries have taken their toll on sinking Memphis, while similar setbacks have left Chicago's playoff hopes on life support.

The Grizzlies try for a home win over the Bulls on Tuesday night that they feel will help reverse their bad fortune while Chicago looks to continue its push to get back into playoff position.

Memphis, seeking a sixth straight playoff appearance, had a nine-game lead for a spot March 4. The loss of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Brandan Wright and P.J. Hairston have since caught up with the club, fifth in the West, during a six-game losing streak and 4-12 stretch.

"We can sit here and rah-rah and motivate and say what we need to do, but until we get it done on the court all the motivational speeches don't matter," veteran swingman Vince Carter said. "We just have to get over the hump. (Injuries are) not an excuse now."

The Grizzlies (41-36) allowed an average of 99.3 points in their first 61 games but have surrendered 107.6 over the last 16. They allowed host Orlando to shoot 47.8 percent and post a 28-8 advantage on fast-break points in their sixth straight loss, 119-107 on Sunday.

In the midst of its worst losing streak since a seven-game skid in November 2009, Memphis' once-comfortable lead has dwindled to three games over ninth-place Houston with five left. The club's advantage over sixth-place Portland is down to a half-game.

"We are playing for a playoff spot and to stay in the playoffs so we just have to figure it out," Carter said. "It (stinks) and there is a dark cloud over us right now but we can still see the light of day.

"It is still possible. We just have to win a couple of games and everything should feel a little better. We just have to stay the course."

The Bulls' situation is considerably more dire as they try to avoid missing the postseason for the first time since 2007-08. Chicago (39-38) is two games out of the final spot in the East.

Since a four-game losing streak put a serious dent in its postseason chances, Chicago has won three of four.

Jimmy Butler is certainly doing all he can, following up a 28-point, 17-rebound, 12-assist effort in a 94-90 home loss to eighth-place Detroit on Saturday with 25 points on 10-of-11 shooting in Sunday's 102-98 win at Milwaukee.

'They don't go by points for who's in the eighth seed. It's all about winning and losing,' Butler said. 'If we continue to win, hopefully we'll find ourselves in the postseason."

Derrick Rose is questionable for this contest after missing the past two with an elbow injury, while Taj Gibson is doubtful after sitting out the last three with a broken rib.

Since surrendering an average of 107.4 points while losing 18 of 28, the Bulls have tightened up defensively by allowing 97 per game over their last four. They limited Memphis to 42.1 percent shooting in a 98-85 win in the first meeting Dec. 16.

Butler led the way with 24 points in that contest and has averaged 28.5 in his last two at FedExForum.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cavaliers (55-22) at Bucks (32-45)

Date: April 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Through all the uncertainty surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving continue to insist they're ready for the postseason.

It may be tough for some to believe, especially given Irving's recent injury, though the Cavaliers can inch closer to securing the Eastern Conference's top seed with their third straight win over the host Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.

A couple days after Irving said the Cavaliers (55-22) were the "team to beat" - not really clarifying if he meant in the East or the entire league - James issued his own concise postseason statement following Sunday's 112-103 win over Charlotte.

"If it started tomorrow, we'd be ready to go," James said after Cleveland's third straight victory.

The Cavaliers lead Toronto in the East by 3 1/2 games with five left, though the Raptors have a game in hand and hold the tiebreaker, keeping Cleveland from a clinching scenario Tuesday.

James' assuredness comes without knowing if Irving will be available against the last-place Bucks (32-45). The three-time All-Star sprained his right ankle late in the first half of Friday's 110-108 overtime win at Atlanta, and soreness and swelling kept him out against the Hornets.

Irving played in the second half and extra period against the Hawks, though it seemed the Cavaliers were playing it safe two days later. Coach Tyronn Lue said he doesn't know if Irving will require more rest.

Lue has rested his star players down the stretch, including James twice in the last three weeks. The four-time MVP has responded well, averaging 28.6 points, 9.6 assists and 8.9 rebounds while playing in seven games during a 6-2 stretch. He has two triple-doubles in that span and just missed two more over the weekend.

After going for 29 points, a season-high 16 rebounds and nine assists in Atlanta, James logged 31 points, 12 assists and eight boards against Charlotte.

"I think he's been leading by example knowing that the playoffs are coming up and we have to get ready for this stretch," Lue told the team's official website. "I think he's done a great job of setting the tone for us."

The Cavaliers, who are 23-15 on the road, have games remaining against three possible first-round opponents - Indiana, Chicago and Detroit - with another against an Atlanta team that could line up in the second round.

First, they'll try to win the four-game season series against Milwaukee.

James has averaged 30 points, 9 rebounds and 6.3 assists and Kevin Love 23.3 points and 13 rebounds in this series, helping Cleveland to back-to-back wins. The Cavs, who were without Irving in the first two, have won four of the last five meetings.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has averaged 24.3 points against Cleveland this season, and he logged his second straight big game in Sunday's 102-98 loss to Chicago. He had a career-high 34 points, nine assists and five rebounds two days after posting his fifth triple-double in a 113-110 win over Orlando.

Jabari Parker chipped in 24 points against the Bulls, but Milwaukee's two-game winning streak was snapped as leading scorer Khris Middleton sat with a strained left thigh while the Bucks fell to 23-16 at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

"We missed Khris," Antetokounmpo said. "I told (Parker) before the game we have to be aggressive, we have to push the team. We have to make the other guys play hard and just try to compete."

Milwaukee made only 2 of 7 from 3-point range, the third-lowest total attempted in a game by any team this season. It is unclear if Middleton will be available Tuesday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Spurs (64-12) at Jazz (39-38)

Date: April 05, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

In their bid to secure their first playoff berth in four years, the Utah Jazz may benefit from the San Antonio Spurs likely caring about only one thing.

That would be the first unbeaten home season in NBA history, so Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is likely to rest the meat of his lineup when his team visits the Jazz on Tuesday night with little to play for in the opener of a three-game trip.

With this contest and a visit to Denver sandwiching Thursday's matchup at Golden State, there's no reason for Popovich to give heavy minutes to Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili against the Jazz or Nuggets.

Sure, the Spurs (64-12) have a mathematical chance to catch the Warriors for the top seed in the Western Conference, but it's highly unlikely.

Utah (39-38), on the other hand, is battling Dallas and Houston for the West's final two postseason berths. The Jazz are tied with the Mavericks and a game ahead of Houston, and the Texas rivals are set for a crucial matchup in Dallas on Wednesday night.

If Utah can finish above both and claim seventh place, a matchup awaits against the Spurs, who swept the Jazz out of the postseason in the first round in 2011-12.

All three teams have five games remaining and each took care of business Sunday, when Utah put its stout defense on full display in Phoenix with a 101-86 victory over the Suns that was its fourth in five games.

Gordon Hayward led five players in double figures with 22 points and the Jazz forced Phoenix into 8-of-27 shooting from long range and 21 turnovers that led to 26 points.

"It's our defense. We know that's our calling card," said Rodney Hood, who had 18 points and seven assists. "We're really helping each other out and making people take tough shots and we're just living with the results."

Utah is second to San Antonio (92.6) at 95.9 points allowed per game, but it's been even better at 88.9 during its 10-3 surge into contention. The only teams to top 100 in those 13 games are Oklahoma City (113) and Golden State, which needed overtime for 103.

The Jazz may be playing outstanding defense, but that hasn't been the case while losing the first three matchups against the Spurs this season. San Antonio has averaged 112.3 points while holding Utah to 85.7, a differential of 26.6 that is the Spurs' largest against a West opponent this season.

Hayward was held in check with 11 points per game on 32.4 percent shooting in those contests, while Hood averaged just 8.3 and shot 33.3 percent.

Since the start of the 2010-11 season, Utah has lost 16 of 20 against San Antonio with all the victories coming in Salt Lake City.

Losing to the Spurs on their home floor is a league-wide epidemic, one the Raptors got a taste of in Sunday's 102-95 loss as San Antonio improved to 39-0 at AT&T Center. Leonard had a career-high 33 points and Aldridge had 31 points and 15 rebounds to help the Spurs set a franchise record for wins in a season.

San Antonio is trying to top the 1985-86 Boston Celtics, who went 40-1 at home, and they'll certainly have to earn it with their final two home games coming against the Warriors and Thunder.

"We don't pay attention, nor are allowed to care," guard Danny Green said. "It's fun to be a part of something big, or be a part of history or make history, but we're looking at the bigger pictures."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Thunder (53-24) at Nuggets (32-46)

Date: April 05, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The Oklahoma City Thunder have blown more fourth-quarter leads than any team in the league, but Russell Westbrook doesn't seem too concerned after the latest such slip-up, even with the playoffs looming.

The Thunder usually haven't had that problem in recent matchups with the Denver Nuggets and will try to extend their dominance in the series Tuesday night.

Oklahoma City (53-24) failed to hold on to a lead in the final period for the 13th time in Sunday's 118-110 defeat at Houston.

The Rockets outscored the Thunder 21-8 in the final 5:40. They also finished with 21 second-chance points and scored 25 off Oklahoma City's 21 turnovers, its most in 12 games.

"I don't agree with us 'losing the lead' if we're up two points going into the fourth quarter because, to me, that's not losing the lead," said Westbrook, who finished one assist shy of his 17th triple-double this season. "To me, that doesn't make any sense. I think we've been doing a good job of playing well and closing out games, so I'm not worried about that."

Oklahoma City will seek to bounce back with a sixth consecutive win over the Nuggets (32-46) and the franchise's first season sweep of Denver since 1997-98 when it was known as the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Thunder won the last matchup 110-104 at Denver on Jan. 19, overcoming a 6-for-28 performance from 3-point range.

The Nuggets enter having lost four of five, and they've dropped back-to-back games against short-handed teams that are below them in the Western Conference standings. They lost 101-95 in New Orleans on Thursday and two nights later fell 115-106 to visiting Sacramento, which used eight players, resting DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo.

"You look at the last two games, we played against a depleted Pelicans team, got our butts kicked," said guard Will Barton, who has eight points on 0-of-17 shooting in the past two contests. "Tonight we played a depleted Sacramento team and got our butts kicked. It's a terrible effort. Just a bad effort."

The Nuggets were abysmal in the fourth quarter in those two, totaling 35 points on 26.7 percent shooting, including 2 of 16 from 3-point range.

Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant has scored at least 20 points in 61 consecutive games, the fourth-longest streak since the NBA-ABA merger. He is closing in on Kobe Bryant's 63-game run for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005-06.

Durant has scored 20-plus points in 25 straight matchups with Denver, including the playoffs. The last time he failed to reach that mark against the Nuggets was a 19-point effort March 3, 2010.

Durant has averaged 32.5 points in his last four games in Denver, while Westbrook is averaging 28.5 points on 52.5 percent shooting in his last two in the series.

Oklahoma City can wrap up the Western Conference's No. 3 seed with a win or a Los Angeles Clippers defeat against the Lakers on Tuesday night.

The Nuggets have lost their past two home games after winning five in a row, their longest streak in two seasons.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Trail Blazers (41-37) at Kings (31-46)

Date: April 05, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

After Stephen Curry and mighty Golden State ended their run, the Portland Trail Blazers hope to find the going easier against Seth Curry and the Sacramento Kings.

The Blazers will try to bounce back while inching closer to a playoff berth Tuesday night when they visit Sacramento, which has played well lately despite little incentive to do so.

Stephen Curry finished with 38 points on Sunday when the Warriors snapped Portland's four-game winning streak with a 136-111 home victory. The Blazers (41-37), however, remained just a half game behind free-falling fifth-place Memphis.

Now they have an opportunity to move three games ahead of ninth-place Houston, which will still have five games left after Tuesday. That seems to be incentive enough for coach Terry Stotts to play his starters down the stretch.

"The goal is to win every game," Stotts told the team's official website.

Portland's position is somewhat surprising after losing four starters from a team that won 51 games and ended up with the West's fifth-best record last season. Damian Lillard, the lone returning starter, believes there's motivation to finish fifth again.

"I think it would say a lot about how hard our team worked if we can finish in the same spot that we finished in last season," he said. "If we finish the right way and have our minds right then that's definitely a possibility."

There doesn't appear to be much of a difference in the potential matchups. The Blazers were blown out twice in three meetings with Oklahoma City and dropped the last three of their four-game season series with the Los Angeles Clippers.

"Every matchup is going to be tough in the playoffs," CJ McCollum said. "We're going to have our hands full. We just want to give ourselves the best chance."

Portland should be able to take a step forward eight days after building a 28-point lead in cruising to a 105-93 home win over the Kings. Allen Crabbe led the way with 21 points off the bench as the Blazers were able to rest starters in the fourth quarter.

Lillard has averaged 30.7 points while hitting 14 of 26 from 3-point range in his last three trips to Sacramento (31-46). He got back on track Sunday with 38 points and four 3s after averaging 15.8 points on 29.3 percent shooting over his previous five games.

Seth Curry, Stephen's younger brother, had a team-high 21 points last week when the Kings played without Rudy Gay, DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo. All three could be available after Cousins and Rondo were rested in Saturday's 115-106 win at Denver.

Sacramento, currently with the eighth-worst record in the league, loses its first-round pick to Chicago if it falls outside the top 10.

Cousins has averaged 30.3 points over his past four at home against the Blazers.

Gay led the way with 25 points and Curry added 17 on Saturday for Sacramento, which has averaged 113.8 per game while winning four of the past six. Gay has totaled 45 points and 22 rebounds and Curry has scored a combined 38 over the past two.

'You have to play with the guys available,' Gay said. 'It was a back-to-back (on Saturday) and guys came in and kept our play at the same level.'

With Lillard sidelined on Dec. 27, McCollum stepped up with 35 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and four steals in a 98-94 win in the most recent meeting at Sacramento.

Portland has won five in a row and nine of the past 11 in this series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Timberwolves (25-52) at Warriors (69-8)

Date: April 05, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Seventy is a number long sought by NBA teams, but accomplished by only one.

The Golden State Warriors have the chance to make it two Tuesday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves and continue their chase of the standard set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.

With the prospect of losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, the Warriors (69-8) put forth one of their best offensive efforts of the season in a campaign full of them, overwhelming Portland 136-111 on Sunday. The Warriors became the first team to reach 1,000 3-pointers in a season when Curry connected in the second quarter, and they finished 18 of 30 from beyond the arc.

Golden State needs to go 4-1 to surpass Chicago's revered 72-10 mark, yet Curry and coach Steve Kerr weren't talking about joining the Bulls as the only team to reach 70 wins at practice Monday. Instead, both spoke with pride about having the chance to be the first team to go an entire season without losing two games in a row.

"With five games left we still have a piece of the regular season to finish off, but not losing two in a row is special," said Curry, who needs 22 3-pointers to finish with a once-unfathomable 400. "Last year it was not lose three in a row and we were able to accomplish that. Every time we had a loss we've been able to bounce back and have a top-notch performance. ... When we take a punch, we learn from it and be aggressive the next opportunity like last night."

"It's incredible, it's never been done before," added Kerr, a guard on that 1995-96 Bulls team. "It just shows the consistency and the will, the competitiveness. ... it's an amazing feat if we can pull it off through 82 games."

Curry and Klay Thompson alone have combined for 640 3-pointers - far above the 544 Kerr's Bulls sank in their title-winning season. A good portion of those makes are due to Draymond Green's all-around game. To go with his 13 triple-doubles, Green is the only player in NBA history with 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, 500 assists, 100 steals and 100 blocks in a season, and the Warriors are shooting 55.4 percent on his passes that could be assists.

"He breaks defenses down like Steph does," Kerr explained. "Often times Steph breaks it down to start with and gives it to Draymond in a position to drive. Obviously a lot of what we do goes through those two players, and Draymond is frequently attacking, gets the defense on his heels and finds the open shooter."

Andrew Wiggins likely will get the first crack at trying to contain Green for the Timberwolves (25-52), who aim to avoid a fourth straight loss. He had 30 points while rookie Karl-Anthony Towns added 11 and 21 rebounds, but an inability to guard on the perimeter weighed heavily in an 88-78 loss to Dallas on Sunday night.

Minnesota allowed 14 3-pointers as guards Wesley Matthews, J.J. Barea and Devin Harris combined to make 12 of 26. The Wolves are 10-24 when opponents reach double figures in 3-pointers, with the Warriors posting a 129-116 win Nov. 12 after making 18 of 38 from beyond the arc.

"They had a lot of tap-outs, offensive rebounds and I think we got 20-something points off of it and six threes off of it," Wiggins told the team's official website. "I think that right there is a game changer."

Golden State held off Minnesota 109-104 in the most recent meeting March 21 when Thompson went 5 of 5 from long distance while Green had 24 points and six assists. The Wolves got all but 16 of their points from Wiggins, Towns, Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lakers (16-60) at Clippers (48-28)

Date: April 05, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

There's no doubt Kobe Bryant helped the Los Angeles Lakers continue a winning tradition that has resulted in 16 NBA titles for the franchise.

There's also no question the best team in town is currently the Los Angeles Clippers, who just welcomed Blake Griffin back to their lineup.

Bryant will play as a visitor for the final time in this rivalry Tuesday night in the opener of a home-and-home set, with the Clippers having won nine straight over the Lakers.

The Lakers (16-60) were the toast of town and the Clippers (48-28) a league laughingstock when Bryant began his career in 1996-97. He won his first 11 starts against the Clippers, who finished last in the seven-team Pacific Division between 1997-2000.

Now the tables have turned, with the Lakers on the verge of matching the franchise record for losses set last year. The Clippers' nine-game win streak in this series has seen Bryant, oft-injured in the final stages of his career, play three times.

"They're the better team, there's no doubt about that right now," Lakers coach Byron Scott said. "We know that we have to come in tomorrow and we gotta play a great game against a great team, we've gotta get Chris Paul in check somehow, we've got to keep (DeAndre Jordan) off the boards, we gotta keep them out of their running game."

It'll be a game-time decision as usual whether Bryant plays, though the Clippers are eager to see him in this set that concludes Wednesday. Coach Doc Rivers guided Boston when the Celtics beat the Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals and lost in seven games in 2010.

"Just the 2008 series. Something happened in 2010, I don't remember what happened there," said Rivers when asked about those years. "I just remember how hard he was every night. I mean, he was just tough, physically. I thought both of those series, the mental part of Kobe is what stood out."

Rivers was thrilled to see Griffin back on the floor Sunday for his first action since a 94-84 road win over the Lakers on Dec. 25. The forward had six points and five boards in 24 minutes in a 114-109 victory over Washington.

'It was a blast being back out there,' Griffin said. 'My rhythm was pretty bad, conditioning was a little bit better than I thought it would be, but not great."

Bryant turned back the clock a bit with his second-highest point total of the season with 34 in Sunday's 107-100 home defeat to the Celtics. He was far from efficient, making 11 of 28 shots and ranks second-worst among qualifying players at 35.6 percent from the field and last on 3-pointers at 28.4.

The Clippers feature the leaders in both categories, with Jordan shooting 70.2 percent and J.J. Redick at 47.1 on 3s.

Scott plans to rest veterans Brandon Bass and Lou Williams for the remainder of the season to give younger players more minutes. Nick Young, who has missed the last 11 games, is also unlikely to see action in the wake of the D'Angelo Russell video scandal.

"Right now, I know what he's going through, and I know it's hard on him," Scott said about Young. "But right now he's not here with us, mentally, and there's no need for me to put him out there on the floor."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds: Tuesday, April 5 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

If the Philadelphia 76ers are going to avoid tying the NBA single-season record of 73 losses, set by their 1972-73 forefathers in Philly, it's probably going to be this week or never. The Sixers host the Pelicans on Tuesday, and New Orleans actually has fewer good players at this point than Philly does due to injury. You could probably score a ticket to that game for $1 on StubHub. Then Philly hosts the Knicks on Friday and Bucks on Sunday. Also losing teams, although both certainly better than the Pelicans. The 76ers close with road games in Toronto and Chicago, and I see no chance for wins there unless the Raptors and Bulls punt on those. It's an unusually busy Tuesday schedule because the NBA went dark on Monday in deference to the NCAA Championship Game.


Pelicans at 76ers (-2.5, 204)

Injury-ravaged New Orleans won a second straight Sunday, 106-87 in Brooklyn. Someone named Tim Frazier -- I actually do remember him at Penn State; he went undrafted out of there in 2014 -- had 19 points and 13 assists for the Pelicans. Philly dropped a 12th straight Saturday, 115-102 at home to Indiana. The Sixers actually had a six-point lead in the fourth quarter. Nerlens Noel missed a sixth straight game with a right knee contusion and Hollis Thompson was a late scratch with an illness. Noel is listed as questionable here. The Pelicans won the first meeting 121-114. Former 76er Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson combined for 50 points but are both now done for the season.

Key trends: The Pelicans are 1-5 against the spread in their past six Tuesday games. The 76ers are 5-2 ATS in their past seven after an ATS loss. The "over/under" has gone under in four straight New Orleans games. The under is 4-0 in the Sixers' past four vs. the West.

Early lean: Wow, Philly is favored! Can't do it. Go Pelicans and under.

Hornets at Raptors (-5.5, 202)

Charlotte had a three-game winning streak snapped in a 112-93 loss at Cleveland on Sunday. Kemba Walker had 29 points in a losing effort. Al Jefferson sat with a bruised thigh and Nic Batum hurt his knee in the first half and didn't return. I doubt you see him here. Toronto lost 102-95 in San Antonio on Saturday. As I predicted, the Raptors essentially waived the white flag in the second of a back-to-back and rested All-Stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. The Raptors got good news Monday with DeMarre Carroll practicing in full, but he's not likely to play here. He hasn't played since Jan. 3 and had knee surgery shortly after that. These teams have split two meetings this season. The Raptors have won two straight at home vs. Charlotte.

Key trends: The Hornets are 11-3 ATS in their past 14 in Toronto. The over is 6-2 in the past eight meetings.

Early lean: Raptors and over if DeRozan and Lowry play.

Pistons at Heat (TBA)

Detroit got a very big win in Chicago on Saturday that is going to make it hard for the Bulls to beat out the Pistons for a playoff spot. The Pistons would now win any tiebreaker against Chicago. The Andre Drummond free-throw experiment just gets worse. He was 1-for-10 from the stripe vs. the Bulls and is now being pulled late in games. How is it possible he's hitting only 35.4 percent from there this season? Miami played a second straight game without Dwyane Wade on Saturday and lost 110-93 in Portland. He'll be a game-time call here. Detroit leads the series 2-0.

Key trends: The home team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 4-0 in Detroit's past four. It's 4-1 in Miami's past five.

Early lean: Wait on Wade.

Suns at Hawks (-15, 206)

Phoenix has said goodbye to guard Brandon Knight for the rest of the season due to a sports hernia. Might as well shut him down with nothing to play for. Knight missed seven weeks for the sports hernia from Jan. 21 to March 9. He aggravated the problem last Wednesday. Phoenix has lost six straight games. Atlanta lost a second straight Friday, 110-108 in OT at home against Cleveland. Al Horford was 0-for-6 from 3-point range and missed one at the end of OT. Kent Bazemore took a scary fall but X-rays on his wrist were negative. He says he's playing here. Phoenix won the first meeting 98-95 on an Archie Goodwin game-winner.

Key trends: The favorite is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The under is 4-0 in the past four.

Early lean: Suns and under.

Bulls at Grizzlies (TBA)

Chicago pretty much has to win out for any shot at the playoffs, and even that might not be enough. The Bulls are off a 102-98 win in Milwaukee on Sunday. Derrick Rose was out with an elbow injury as was Taj Gibson with a broken rib. You won't see Gibson here and Rose is questionable to play in the city where he starred for one year in college. Memphis lost a sixth straight Sunday, 119-107 in Orlando. It's the franchise's longest skid since November 2009. Chicago won the first meeting 98-85 on Dec. 16. The Bulls have won two straight in Memphis as well.

Key trends: The road team is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The over is 17-4 in Memphis' past 21 at home vs. teams with a losing road record.

Early lean: Wait on Rose.

Cavaliers at Bucks (TBA)

Cleveland won a third in a row Sunday, 112-103 over Charlotte. LeBron James has really raised his game of late and had 31 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. Kyrie Irving got the game off with a sprained ankle. No reason to rush him back now that Cleveland is all but a lock for the top seed in the East. Milwaukee's two-game winning streak ended in a 102-98 home loss to Chicago on Sunday. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 34 points. The Bucks played without leading scorer Khris Middleton due to a thigh injury. He's iffy here. Cleveland leads the season series 2-1. It lost the one game in Milwaukee in double overtime.

Key trends: The Cavs are 2-6 ATS in the past eight meetings. The over is 10-1 in the previous 11 in Milwaukee.

Early lean: Seems like a game the Cavs might rest some guys, so wait for that.

Thunder at Nuggets (+8.5, 219)

Oklahoma City lost at Houston 118-110 on Sunday. It was the Thunder's league-leading 13th loss this season in a game it led in the fourth quarter. Russell Westbrook was one assist shy of his 17th triple-double of the season. Denver lost 115-106 at home to Sacramento on Saturday even though the Kings were without DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo. Darrell Arthur missed the game for Denver with sore knees. Jusuf Nurkic returned from a three-game illness absence. The Thunder are 3-0 vs. Denver this season and have won five straight overall in the series.

Key trends: The home team is 6-2-1 ATS in the past nine meetings. The over is 5-1 in the past six.

Early lean: Thunder if they play everyone and over.

Spurs at Jazz (+3, 185.5)

San Antonio won a third in a row Saturday, 102-95 over Toronto to stay unbeaten at home. Kawhi Leonard had a career-high 33 points as the Spurs set a franchise record with their 64th win of the season. I would be totally stunned if San Antonio plays all its key guys here and with a trip to Golden State coming Thursday. If Tim Duncan plays, he's one win from 1,000 career victories. His 999 wins are the most ever by a player with a single team. Utah won a second straight, 101-86 in Phoenix on Sunday. Gordon Hayward led five Utah players in double figures with 22 points. Derrick Favors returned after missing one game due to knee soreness. The Spurs are 3-0 vs. the Jazz this season.

Key trends: The Spurs are 2-5 ATS in their past seven in Utah. The under is 8-1 in the previous nine meetings there.

Early lean: Jazz and under.

Trail Blazers at Kings (+2.5, 222)

Portland's four-game winning streak ended in a 136-111 loss at Golden State on Sunday. Damian Lillard scored 38 points to lead the Blazers. Sacramento won in Denver 115-106 on Saturday despite leaving Cousins and Rondo home for the one-game trip. Rudy Gay had 25 points. I presume both Cousins and Rondo will play here. Portland is 3-0 vs. the Kings this season and looking for its first sweep since 2009-10.

Key trends: The road team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 8-1 in Portland's past nine road games.

Early lean: Blazers and over.

Timberwolves at Warriors (-17, 225.5)

Minnesota lost a third in a row Sunday, 88-78 to Dallas. Andrew Wiggins scored 30 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 11 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists for the Timberwolves. Ricky Rubio left late after getting hit in the face. It's not likely to keep him out here. Golden State bounced back from its first home loss of the season Friday against Boston with a 25-point home win over Portland on Sunday. Steph Curry had 39 points. Draymond Green added 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his 13th triple-double. That was win No. 69 for the Warriors, tying for the second-most all-time. Festus Ezeli returned from a 31-game absence and played nine minutes. Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala both missed the game but practiced Monday and thus could play here. Golden State has won seven straight vs. Minnesota.

Key trends: The Wolves are 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 7-2 in the previous nine in Golden State.

Early lean: Wolves and over.

Lakers at Clippers (-13.5, 207)

The Lakers lost 107-100 at home to Boston on Sunday despite 34 points from Kobe Bryant, his second-highest total of the season. Lou Williams got a DNP-CD and Coach Bryon Scott says he doesn't expect Williams to play the rest of the way. Scott also said he's resting Larry Nance here in the first of a back-to-back as these teams play again Wednesday. The Clippers beat Washington 114-109 on Sunday in Blake Griffin's return. He had six points and five rebounds in 24 minutes. Griffin hadn't played since Christmas. Coach Doc Rivers said Griffin will sit out at least one of the team's final six regular-season games.

Key trends: The Lakers are 3-11 ATS in the past 14 when they are a visitor in this series. The under is 5-0 in the past five.

Early lean: Clippers and under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Tuesday 4/5 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF HARNESS


MEET STATS: 88 - 348 / $606.30

BEST BETS: 10 - 39 / $38.70

Best Bet: MAESTRO BLUE CHIP (4th)

Spot Play: KEYSTONE BODACIOUS (6th)


Race 1

(3) SOHO HIGHROLLER A seems to be knocking at the door based on his last two trips to the post; threat at his best. (7) GD AIRLINER could move forward with the drop in class. (1) LITTLE MICHAEL B will need a much better trip than in his previous outing.

Race 2

(4) COVERT OPERATIVE lost all chance when he broke at the start last out. If he can return to his March 22nd start, he will be quite formidable. (1) LILYS SWAN POND was late on the scene to nail down the victory last time out. (2) STAYIN STRONG showed good trot even when he was on the rim and held on for the placing last time around.

Race 3

(1) NORTHERN OBSESSION is a sharp and consistent trotter that lost glory by only a neck last out. Now she receives the rail and has every right to boss these down the road. (7) TROPICAL STORM BI has scored two straight victories and his last one was very sharp wire to window. (2) GABE THE BEAR DEAN had a bad post to work with last out but closed strongly to miss the score by a neck; watch out.

Race 4

(4) MAESTRO BLUE CHIP hasn't done anything wrong and is unbeaten this year going five for five; the one to deny. (5) BJANTHONY could be in a perfect spot to contend with the top pick; we shall see. (1) LATOKA retains the rail and was facing open foes in his last two outings.

Race 5

(2) JACKIE GOLDSTEIN put in a mild rally for the show spot in his last try. Gelding fits well in here given the inside slot and should do quite well on the half-mile oval. (5) STORMONT PARK was outrun early but he had a mild bid to grab fourth money last out. (3) SUMMERS WINDSONG could have a say if she reverts to her March 15th outing.

Race 6

(3) KEYSTONE BODACIOUS broke at the start and he never recovered last time around. I'll give this gelding another shot at glory. He does have a win here and has hit the board 5 of 8 this year. (2) J A T O was facing open foes upstate and was a fast-closing second last out. (1) FOREVER AS went down the road for the victory at Dover Downs recently.

Race 7

(2) MERCURY FASHION gets a cozy post today and if you throw out his latest, this trotter is very capable of taking these to task. (6) P L INDYANACA was sharp in her last two efforts and appears to be the main danger. (9) EXPLOSIVE VICTORY was up on the rim at the 3/4 pole but could not go forward, but she held on for show money last time out.

Race 8

Going to give (9) BRICKYARD CLASSIC a shot to put his best foot forward. Gelding's last two outings were decent and he could make some noise with a well rated drive. (3) COUSIN EDDIE is on a roll scoring his third straight victory; the one to fear. (10) CELEBRITY BLUECHIP was sent down the road in his last start for all the marbles at this level; watch out.

Race 9

(6) MOVEMENT was flashing good speed against tougher last time around. She moves back to her winning level and it is good to see Bartlett keeps the drive; threat at her best. (10) AMALFI COAST just got up for win honors against lesser company last time around; should fare well from the second tier. (7) DRIVING MISS CRAZY led for over 3/4's but was nailed for the win by Amalfi Coast last week.

Race 10

(4) SING OUT showed signs of life in his last start when he flashed good early trot and held on for the show spot. Now he faces a so-so group and there's a chance this trotter can move forward and greet the camera man for pictures. (6) POCKET PASSER did not fire in his last two tries but could get a better trip against these; maybe. (1) PHOTO KING ships in from Saratoga and moves to the fence; must be considered in all the exotic slots.

Race 11

(2) GWALLY had a even trip for the show spot last time out. Six-year-old trotter figures to do much better in here with move back to this level; primed to take this. (3) R CHOOCHOO CHARLIE did not fire as the chalk last out, but this 5-year-old showed good late trot to miss the victory by only 3/4 of a length. (9) POLITICAL DESIRE is clearly knocking at the door based on his last two tries and his latest in Ohio was quite sharp; beware.

Race 12

(1) ONTHECLOCK HANOVER was sent down the road but in deep stretch but was caught by Gallant Seelster in his most recent outing. Stays on the fence and based on his consistency, this gelding can be the boss over this group for his second score of the year. (6) BUBBIE BOY leaves the 8-hole and he does have late punch to contend with these. (4) CLASSY HILL was a fast-closing second last out and that puts this gelding right in the mix; we shall see.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Tuesday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Mahoning Valley (1st) Mr. Honey Badger, 5-1
(8th) Ace Rich, 10-1


Parx Racing (6th) Masons Dream, 9-2
(7th) Change of Seasons, 7-2


Sunland Park (7th) Contradiction, 3-1
(10th) Doms Flash, 7-2


Turf Paradise (3rd) Lucky Fame, 3-1
(6th) Merlot Brando, 6-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB notebook: Cardinals place Pham on DL
By The Sports Xchange

The St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Tommy Pham on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a left oblique strain.
Pham left Sunday's season opener in the bottom of the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He grounded out in the first inning in his only plate appearance.
Pham, 28, batted .268 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 52 games as a rookie last season.
To take Pham's spot on the roster, the Cardinals recalled rookie infielder Aledmys Diaz from Triple-A Memphis. He will be available for Tuesday night's game against the Pirates.

---Brewers pitcher Matt Garza was "unlikely" to make his scheduled start Wednesday, manager Craig Counsell said before Monday's Opening Day game against San Francisco.
Garza experienced shoulder stiffness in an exhibition start on Saturday against Double-A Biloxi.
Counsell said Garza would be examined by the team's medical staff Monday and a trip to the disabled list has not been ruled out.

---Giants ace Madison Bumgarner made the Opening Day start against Milwaukee on Monday despite battling flu symptoms.
Bumgarner was not his normal self. It was obvious, too, as he allowed a leadoff single then a walk to Jonathan Villar before recording his first out on a Ryan Braun fly ball to center.
"I think without question it was affecting him," manager Bruce Bochy said. "But he found a way to get through it. He gave us five and that's about what I was hoping for when the game started. I figured he was a little washed out.

---Texas third base coach Tony Beasley will be in the dugout as he continues to undergo treatment for rectal cancer.
Spike Owen is serving as the interim third base coach.
Also, outfielder Josh Hamilton will head to Arizona Thursday when the Rangers begin their first road trip of the season.
There is a chance Hamilton, who is rehabbing from left knee surgery, could begin rehab assignment when the club returns to town April 14.

---Cincinnati recalled pitcher Robert Stephenson from Triple-A Louisville on Monday and announced he will make his first career start on Thursday afternoon.
The hard-throwing right-hander is considered the club's top pitching prospect.
Homer Bailey was placed on the 15-day disabled list to make room for Stephenson.

---Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said pitcher Kevin Gausman will throw a 35-pitch bullpen session Tuesday.
Gausman has been diagnosed with a right shoulder strain.
After that, he will go three innings and five. The team still expects him to be come off the disabled list on April 19.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros (0-0) at Yankees (0-0)

Game: 1
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: April 05, 2016 1:05 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) When Dallas Keuchel last took the mound at Yankee Stadium, he pitched six scoreless innings on short rest to lead the Houston Astros over New York and ace Masahiro Tanaka in the AL wild card game.

The AL Cy Young Award winner returns Monday for a rematch as New York hosts Houston on opening day, when cold, wintry weather is expected.

'It's fitting coming off the wild card game. It's a similar matchup from the last time we played there,' Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. 'I think for us the 40-50-degree weather will be a change, but the magnitude of playing the New York Yankees on opening day should be pretty fun for these guys.'

The Astros had planned a workout at the Bronx ballpark Sunday, but it was canceled because of chilly and windy conditions.

After averaging 104 losses the prior four seasons, the Astros went 86-76 and reached the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Houston was ahead 2-1 against Kansas City in the Division Series and led 6-2 in the eighth inning of Game 4 before the Royals rallied to win the game and later the World Series.

'Seems like the outside world was a year or two late with catching up with what we believed in here,' Keuchel said. 'It's going to be fun because the outside expectations do meet the inside expectations now.'

New York reached the playoffs last year after its first two-season absence in two decades, but the Astros ended the Yankees' postseason quickly.

Either Brett Gardner or Jacoby Ellsbury, who started the wild card game on the bench, may remain in the dugout when the Yankees take the field Monday. Aaron Hicks, a switch-hitting outfielder acquired from Minnesota for backup catcher John Ryan Murphy, had a .307 batting average against lefties last year.

Three-time All-Star Starlin Castro, acquired from the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Adam Warren and infielder Brendan Ryan, is another right-handed bat the Yankees obtained to stop left-handers' domination of their batting order. Switch-hitting Mark Teixeira was healthy for much of last season and hit 31 homers but missed the playoff game after fouling off a pitch that broke his leg.

'I think we have more options this year and I think we have a better balance to our lineup versus lefties,' Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

New York's other big acquisition, closer Aroldis Chapman, will miss the first 30 games while serving a suspension under baseball's new domestic violence policy. Last year's closer, Andrew Miller, will hold onto that role for now. The left-hander says he won't be slowed by a chip fracture in his right wrist, an injury sustained when he was hit by a line drive last week.

Houston has the same core in its batting order, led by Jose Altuve. The AL leader in hits and stolen bases the past two seasons, Altuve is surrounded by power threats that include Colby Rasmus, Luis Valbuena and AL Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa.

But the Astros did lose Chris Carter, who signed with Milwaukee as a free agent after hitting 90 homers in three seasons for Houston.

ON THE MEND

Texas native Evan Gattis, responsible for 27 of Houston's home runs last year, will start the season on the 15-day disabled list, a move retroactive to March 25. The team's primary designated hitter, Gattis is still recovering from offseason sports hernia surgery.

GETTING EVEN YOUNGER

Carter's departure left a hole at first base that could be filled by 25-year-old Tyler White, who batted .353 with three homers and 12 RBIs during spring training. White would be making his major league debut.

CLOSING TIME

The Astros parted with former No. 1 overall draft pick Mark Appel in December, part of a seven-player trade with Philadelphia, in an effort to shore up the back of their bullpen. The key player in the return was Ken Giles, a hard throwing right-hander who had 15 saves in 20 chances in 2015 and held batters to a .219 average.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (0-0) at Indians (0-0)

Game: 1
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: April 05, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

CLEVELAND (AP) Big Papi's about to take one more trip around.

One of baseball's most clutch hitters, David Ortiz has always had an impeccable knack for drama. Few players seized the moment quite like Boston's big bopper.

And, as he prepares for his 20th major league season, Ortiz feels it's time to take his last cuts.

'I'm ready to pass the torch,' he said.

On Monday, he begins his long goodbye.

A beloved New England sports icon, Ortiz, the man with the massive swing, smile and larger-than-life personality, will play the first game of his final season as the Red Sox visit the Cleveland Indians. Ortiz announced his retirement in November on his 40th birthday, and he'll spend 2016 on a farewell tour, taking a bow for a career filled with memories.

'Nothing is forever,' he said. 'It's just time to do different things.'

The first step of Ortiz's walk-off season isn't the only storyline as the Red Sox make their only visit to Progressive Field, which has been improved during the offseason with a new, massive, high-definition scoreboard that the Indians, who have one of the majors' best pitching staff, hope inspires them to score more runs.

The opener will also mark Boston manager John Farrell's return to the dugout after he stepped away last August to receive medical treatment for non-Hodgkin's Burkitt lymphoma. The Red Sox announced his cancer was in remission a few weeks following last season, and the opener represents another significant date for the 53-year-old.

Farrell's comeback coincides with the Boston debut of ace David Price, who agreed to $217 million, seven-year contract with the club in December. The left-hander will start the opener against Cleveland's Corey Kluber, the 2014 Cy Young Award winner looking to bounce back from a 16-loss season and help the Indians close the gap on Kansas City in the AL Central.

While Ortiz's sendoff in Cleveland doesn't have a major sentimental tie, there is a significant connection.

Ortiz helped Boston end its 86-year World Series drought while playing under Indians manager Terry Francona, the Red Sox skipper from 2004-11.

Francona considers Ortiz the consummate player and teammate - on the field and in the clubhouse.

'I went through the gamut with David,' Francona said. 'From watching him win games in the World Series to when he was on his back to struggling and having to pinch hit for him. We kinda came full circle. Regardless, the thing I'm probably most appreciative of when we had problems and had to fight through them - we did. He's a really proud guy. He's somebody I care about a lot and I'm glad he's going out on his own terms.'

The Indians will be the first opposing team to celebrate Ortiz's illustrious career, which began in 1997 with Minnesota. The club will honor him with a tribute and gift on Thursday, and by the time October arrives, Ortiz will have been saluted with standing ovations and likely presented with everything from rocking chairs to golf clubs.

Ortiz hopes to savor every moment, but doesn't want his final season to detour the Red Sox from accomplishing all they can.

'I'm not planning to put a lot of pressure on myself,' he said. 'Besides being my last season I also know this is a job I have to continue doing. I'm just going to take things day by day. Hopefully there are not going to be any distractions for my teammates or myself. I need to focus on what I like to do.

'That's the only way I can play the game. I'm the type of player who can't get away with not focusing. I've got of focus. I have to be on it. I like to help out the younger players. I know there are going to be a lot of teams out there trying to congratulate me. And I really appreciate that, but I don't want it to be a distraction either. I hope everything goes smooth.'

NOTES: Following a workout at Progressive Field, Ortiz and Price attended the NBA game between Charlotte and Cleveland. ... As expected, the Indians placed OFs Michael Brantley (shoulder) and Lonnie Chisenhall (wrist) on the 15-day disabled list. Brantley underwent surgery in October and had hoped to be ready for opening day. ... Cleveland also purchased the contracts of OF Marlon Byrd and LHP Ross Detwiler from Triple-A Columbus and designated LHP Giovanni Soto and INF Zach Walters for assignment.