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The Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at
Oddsmakers currently have the Trail Blazers listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Rockets, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Rockets were defeated 95-84 by the Mavericks in their regular-season finale last time out, as a pick’em. The team’s played UNDER the posted total of 190.
Yao Ming tossed in 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a losing effort.
The Trail Blazers held the Nuggets to just 15 points in the fourth quarter as they cruised to a 104-76 victory in their regular-season finale on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers covered the 7.5-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 199.
Team records:
Portland: 54-28 SU, 46-36 ATS Houston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6 Before playing Portland are 6-4 After playing Dallas are 7-3 After a loss are 9-1 Portland most recently: A few trends to consider:
Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Portland Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games when playing Portland The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Houston’s last 12 games on the road Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games Portland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home Portland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home Next up:
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Monthly Archives: April 2009
Mavericks-Spurs Odds Preview
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The Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at
Oddsmakers currently have the Spurs listed as 4-point favorites versus the Mavericks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Mavericks outscored the Rockets by 16 points in the fourth quarter to pull out a 95-84 victory in their season finale on Wednesday. The Mavericks won the game as a pick’em, while the team’s played UNDER the posted total of 190.
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 30 points and 15 rebounds in a double-double performance.
The Spurs failed to cover the 9-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night’s posted total (176).
Team records:
San Antonio: 54-28 SU, 40-40-2 ATS Dallas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2 Before playing San Antonio are 6-4 After playing Houston are 9-1 After a win are 5-5 San Antonio most recently: A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas’s last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio Dallas is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against San Antonio The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Dallas’s last 16 games on the road San Antonio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio’s last 6 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio’s last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas San Antonio is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Dallas Next up:
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Pistons-Cavaliers Lines Preview
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The division rival Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are set to renew hostilities on Saturday when they meet at Quicken Loans Arena in the opening game of their first-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cavaliers listed as 12½-point favorites versus the Pistons, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Pistons lost 102-96 to the Heat in their regular-season finale last time out, as 2-point underdogs. That game’s 198 points made it OVER the posted total of 181.
The Cavaliers dropped their season-finale 111-110 in overtime to the 76ers. The 76ers failed to cover the 3-point spread, and the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 185.
Team records:
Cleveland: 66-16 SU, 49-33 ATS Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4 Before playing Cleveland are 4-6 After playing Miami are 7-3 After a loss are 3-7 Cleveland most recently: A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit’s last 5 games when playing Cleveland The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Detroit’s last 17 games when playing on the road against Cleveland The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games Detroit is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 5 games when playing Detroit Cleveland is 16-1 SU in its last 17 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Cleveland’s last 17 games when playing at home against Detroit The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland’s last 8 games at home Next up:
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Bulls-Celtics Lines Preview
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The Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at TD Banknorth Garden in the opening game of their first-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Bulls, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Bulls were defeated 109-98 by the Raptors in their regular-season finale last time out. The Bulls were 10-point underdogs in that game, while the 207 points fell UNDER the posted total of 214.5.
The Celtics managed to cover the 4.5-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the day’s posted total (190.5).
Team records:
Boston: 62-20 SU, 43-39 ATS Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6 Before playing Boston are 10-0 After playing Toronto are 4-6 After a loss are 6-4 Boston most recently: A few trends to consider:
Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago’s last 7 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston’s last 5 games at home Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games Boston is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Chicago Next up:
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Betting: Susan Boyle or Flawless, Plus NBA Playoff and NHL Playoffs Odds
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Phillies turn to their ace for a victory, the Indians continue their
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
In what will be Stephan A. Smith’s ESPN finale, NBA action resumes on Saturday (NBA playoff series odds), with Game 1 of four of the league’s first-round series:
Also the 2009 NBA playoff odds and betting lines for the individual games are up.
Meeting up on the diamond . . .
Phillies ace Cole Hamels will try to get back on track on Friday night when his team plays host to the Padres. The lefthander was pounded in his first start of the season on April 10, surrendering seven earned runs on 11 hits in just 3 2-3 innings of work versus the
The Cards and Cubs play a matinee in
Picks that are hotter than Donna Feldman and Carlie Becker are GodsTips in the NHL. Their baseball domination also is resuming. GodsTips is 4-1 in the NHL playoffs including two Dandy Dogs. Get six MLB and NHL winners tonight. The big story is the National League Underdog of the Month. We will also add that there are some Dandy Dogs among our six winners. Click now to purchase
The next Susan Boyle…
The inspirational story of Susan Boyle on ‘
Boyle is a bit more inspirational than former American Idol contestant Tozier Robbins who was arrested for stalking Britney Spears.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
The National Hockey League offers up Game 2 of three first-round playoff series on Friday night, including
The other Eastern matchup on Friday has
Finally, it’ll be
NBA Picks and Predictions
NBA playoff betting is here! Time to make some picks for Saturday’s games. It’s safe to say we know what will happen in the Cavaliers vs Pistons odds and the Celtics vs Bulls odds (to a lesser extent), so let’s focus on the tougher-to-predict basketball betting matchups.
Spurs vs Mavericks odds – Saturday, April 18 at
After these two teams split the season series, basketball betting players can’t assume the Spurs odds are a sure thing in Game 1. That said, the Spurs are still the better sportsbook pick in this matchup. While wear and tear on Tim Duncan and an aging lineup missing Manu Ginobili are a concern, the Spurs should still be fresh enough in Game 1 and have momentum after closing out the NBA betting regular season with a four-game winning streak. Look for the Spurs to start fast and lay a Game 1beatdown on the Mavs, maybe by a double-digit margin. Tony Parker will run wild. Go with the Spurs odds here.
Rockets vs Trail Blazers odds – Saturday, April 18 at
The Rose Garden will rock Saturday night as many young Blazers play their first career playoff game. That, however, could be problematic in game 1. While the Blazers odds still look good for the entire series, the young guns could be nervous in Game 1 and may force some bad shots or turn over the ball more than normal. The more experienced Rockets, led by Yao Ming and Shane Battier, should use their savvy to quiet the crowd, just for one game. On paper, picking the Rockets odds is a risky proposition given that the Rockets were just 20-21 in the road this season while
Indians-Yankees Lines Preview
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The Cleveland Indians will be trying to extend a winning streak on Friday when they take on the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
The Indians will give the ball to starter
Meanwhile, it’ll be
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 230-moneyline favorites versus the Indians, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Grady Sizemore blasted a grand slam home run in a nine-run seventh inning on Thursday, as the Indians defeated the Yankees 10-2 in the opener of a four-game series. The Indians won that game as +190 underdogs, and the 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
Current streak:
Team records:
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2 Before playing NY Yankees are 7-3 After playing NY Yankees are 4-6 After a win are 7-3 New York most recently: A few trends to consider:
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees Cleveland is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing NY Yankees Cleveland is 7-18 SU in their last 25 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees Cleveland is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games NY Yankees are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home NY Yankees are 18-7 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against Cleveland NY Yankees are 17-8 SU in their last 25 games NY Yankees are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing Cleveland Next up:
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Cardinals-Cubs Lines Preview
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The St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs will meet on the field at Wrigley Field on Friday in a battle of division rivals.
The Cardinals will give the ball to starter
Starting this game for the Cubs will be ace
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 190-moneyline favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Cardinals rallied with four runs over the final four innings to defeat the Cubs 7-4 in the opener of a four-game series oin Thursday, as +105 underdogs. The game’s 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8).
Current streak:
Team records:
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7 Before playing Chi Cubs are 6-4 After playing Chi Cubs are 3-7 After a win are 8-2 Chicago most recently: A few trends to consider:
St. Louis is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games St. Louis is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs St. Louis is 8-17 SU in their last 25 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs St. Louis is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games on the road Chi Cubs are 17-8 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against St. Louis Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing St. Louis Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games at home Next up:
Chi Cubs home to |
NBA Playoff Picks – Spurs vs Mavericks odds
The first round of playoff NBA lines offers some mismatches and, while no one would’ve expected it a few months ago, the Spurs vs Mavericks odds are not one of those mismatches. Not only did the two teams split their season series 2-2, both winning a game in the other’s barn, but the Spurs are banged up entering the NBA betting playoffs and the Mavericks may be playing their best basketball of the season right now. So online betting players can‘t totally write this one off as a sportsbook joke.
When assessing the Spurs odds, there’s no getting around the fact that (a) Manu Ginobili is out for the season with a stress fracture in his ankle and (b) Tim Duncan is past his prime, posting his second lowest points and rebounding averages of his career this season. That puts pressure on young (yes, young—can you believe he’s only 26?) Tony Parker to carry the team. Luckily for the Spurs odds, Parker seems more than up to the task. His 22.0 points per game were a career high and, more importantly, he really brought it in last year’s playoffs, averaging 22.4 points per game. He’s ready to be the face of this franchise.
The Mavs won’t go quietly, though. There’s a ton of pressure on them after years of NBA playoff betting flops and it’s pretty likely that a firesale is on the horizon if they fail again. Dirk Nowitzki can still put points on the board and Jason Terry was a revelation as the sixth man this season. They’ll need a special performance from him off the bench for the Mavericks odds to stand a chance.
While the Spurs are somewhat hobbled and the Mavs played them evenly in the regular season, online betting fans should realize that playoff basketball betting is a different beast. We know these Mavericks are playoff chokers and we know these Spurs always elevate their game, so you should make the Gregg Popovich’s Spurs your sportsbook pick in this series.
Online betting pick: Spurs in six.
Angels-Mariners Odds Preview
The Los Angeles Angels will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Thursday when they take on the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.
Lefthander Joe Saunders will take the mound for the Angels to start this game. Saunders is 1-1 this season with a 2.63 ERA.
It'll be Chris Jakubauskas toeing the rubber for the Mariners in this contest. Righthander Jakubauskas is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Mariners rocked Los Angeles for seven runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Angels 11-3 on Wednesday, as +110 underdogs. The 14 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8).
Ichiro Suzuki blasted a grand slam homer to pace the Mariners. Jarrod Washburn gave up two runs off four hits in six innings for the win.
Torii Hunter went 3-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer for the Angels, who were favored at -130 in that contest. Jered Weaver surrendered four runs over five innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 2 straight games.
Seattle has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 3-5 SU
Seattle: 7-2 SU
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 6-4
After playing Seattle are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Detroit are 6-4
After playing LA Angels are 3-7
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
LA Angels are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games when playing Seattle
LA Angels are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against Seattle
LA Angels are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games on the road
LA Angels are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Seattle is 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Seattle is 5-14 SU in their last 19 games when playing LA Angels
Next up:
LA Angels at Minnesota, Friday, April 17
Seattle home to Detroit, Friday, April 17